City Council Work Session - June 1, 2026: UDO Amendments, Budget Review, Data Center Moratorium Debate, and Public Forum
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City Council Work Session - June 1, 2026: UDO Amendments, Budget Review, Data Center Moratorium Debate, and Public Forum
The Fayetteville City Council held a work session on June 1, 2026, starting at 3:00 PM and continuing into the evening. The meeting covered proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) text amendments, signage regulations, a review of peer city picketing ordinances, the FY 2026-2027 budget and fee schedule, HUD HOME program findings, Opportunity Zone nominations, and four council member agenda requests. A public forum with 38 registered speakers was held, followed by a recessed continuation of the work session. Key decisions included moving several UDO amendments toward public hearings, referring a signage package to the planning commission, and a consensus to voluntarily reduce HOME grant funds. A motion to suspend rules for a formal vote on a data center moratorium failed for lack of a second, while a request for a public hearing on data storage facility UDO amendments was approved.
Consent Calendar
- The agenda was approved with a motion to move Item 6.03 (Review Peer Cities’ Picketing/Demonstrations Ordinances) to after Item 6.06 (Opportunity Zone 2.0 Nomination Priorities).
Public Comments & Testimony
- 38 speakers were registered; due to time constraints, the public forum was limited to one hour, later extended to allow city residents up to speaker 29 to speak.
- A majority of speakers opposed data centers and called for a moratorium, citing concerns about water consumption, environmental pollution, noise, and lack of public input. Several speakers referenced a preliminary application from TerraNuxis from October 2025, questioning the city's transparency.
- Multiple Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) testified about safety hazards at school crossings, requesting speed cameras, improved flashing lights, and stop signs at specific intersections (e.g., 71st High School, Max Abbott Middle School, Long Hill Elementary, Westover).
- Other speakers addressed pickleball court needs (Wade Fowler), concerns about surveillance technology and constitutional rights (Arlene Fields), support for the Office of Community Safety (Bobby Burgess), and housing/development issues (Melissa Williams, Paulette Weaver, others).
- One speaker (Milo Burke) highlighted the lack of continuity and transparency in placements for disabled adults.
Discussion Items
- 6.01 – Proposed UDO Text Amendments (Fences, Density, Use Table, Zero Lot Line): Staff presented amendments including increasing industrial fence height from 4 to 8 feet, adjusting density in O&I, NC, and DT2 districts, removing single-family detached from NC and O&I districts, and streamlining zero lot line approvals. Council members raised concerns about downzoning implications of removing single-family use and the need for broader UDO updates to address housing shortages and repurposing of industrial buildings. A motion passed to forward most amendments to a public hearing on June 22, but the single-family removal item was referred to the Business & Economic Development Committee for further study.
- 6.02 – Signage Regulations: The Business & Economic Committee recommended Examples B (increase wall signage to 1.5 sq ft per linear foot or 15% of wall area), C (include DT2 district), F (allow 75% window coverage), and G (remove sign count limits). Discussion focused on consistency and safety. A motion passed to refer the package to the Planning Commission and then to a public hearing.
- 6.04 – FY 2026-2027 Budget and Fee Schedule: Staff presented a
Meeting Transcript
Well, good afternoon, everyone. We'll call our official June first uh city council meeting in order. We welcome those who join us in the audience, those who maybe join us remotely to the council work session. And uh following that, we'll have our public form later this evening. But uh with that, as with every meeting, we uh typically start with the invocation. Got a lot of preachers on the day, but uh I'll go to I go to Martin. Let's see. We ask you to bless this meeting in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. And to the report for which one nation under God in the business for all thank you, Martin, Councilman Ferguson. Martin, Councilman Ferguson. Appreciate it. All right, Council. Moving to uh we had a city manager's report for the work session. Mr. Hewitt, but you should report known today. Good afternoon, Mayor, members of council. And welcome to June. Um wanted to uh briefly um give a few updates for the listeners as well as for council. Um in just a moment. Um you'll be hearing from a little bit later from Chris Cawley, um our director of economic and community development. And I'd like to say that uh he and his staff have been working overtime, not only on behalf of the city, uh, but sharpening their skills as well. With that, Chris was recently earned the very prestigious certified economic development credential and designation from the International Economic Development Council. The CECD is one profession, one of the profession's most respected credentials and requires demonstrated expertise across a broad range of economic development uh disciplines. Um additionally, our own Derek McArthur, who I see there we go, at the back, recently earned a North Carolina certified economic development designation through the North Carolina Economic Development Association. The NCCED requires completion of advanced professional development program covering topics such as business recruitment, workforce development, entrepreneurship, redevelopment, and economic development strategy. These achievements reflect both Chris and Derek's commitment to professional excellence, continuous learning, and strengthening our community. We congratulate both of these accomplishments and appreciate the expertise they bring. So much in fact that we're going to be continuing that this coming Thursday with another Doug in the District. This one will be at 6 p.m. in District 1 at College Lakes Recreation Center at 4945 Rose Hill Road in Fayetteville. And I look forward to seeing you all out there. And we're gonna have a great time as well as we did last week, which was very, very successful program. Um the courts at Glenville Lake Ribbon Cutting is taking place this Wednesday at June 3rd at 10 a.m. at 7:30 Filter Plant Road. Um we have um some exciting stuff that we wanna roll out to you guys. Thank y'all will be pleased with that. Um big surprises. Um if you're able to swing a tennis racket or pickleball paddle, make sure you wear some comfortable shoes. That's all I say. Um then the fifth annual Juneteenth Jubilee will be held at Festival Park on Friday, June 19th from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. It will be an evening pack with live music from Misha Fair and Headliner Kirby. And we'll have a variety of food trucks, local craft makers, and an art walk, and it'll be a celebration to remember. So looking forward to again seeing you all out there if you've not had an opportunity to participate in years past. Um Juneteenth Jubilee is uh exceedingly well done by our partners at um Cool Spring. That's it, Mr. Mayor. Thank you, Dr. Hugh.
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