Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM in Council Chamber. The meeting covered consent items, reports from boards and commissions, public hearings, a quasi-judicial evidentiary hearing, and a discussion on regulating data centers. Key actions included approval of a job creation incentive for a Ukrainian drone manufacturer, adoption of a standard peer city list, receipt of annual reports from the Stormwater Advisory Board and Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, and setting a public hearing date for potential UDO amendments on data centers.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Meeting Minutes: Minutes from April 27 (Discussion of Agenda Items and Regular), May 20 (Agenda Briefing), May 21 (Budget Work Session), May 26 (Discussion of Agenda Items and Regular Meeting).
• December Meeting Schedule: Canceled the December 7, 2026 Work Session and December 14, 2026 Regular Meeting, and called a special meeting for December 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM.
• Items A5, A7-A13 (as listed on the agenda) were approved via consent. These included condemnation easements for the Eastwood Avenue Sidewalk Project (A5), a contract extension with Waste Management for recycling services (A7), voluntary reduction of HOME Program funds (A8), a housing development loan for Kingdom CDC's Rosehill Road Project (A9), sole source water meter purchase for PWC (A10), rejection of all bids for galvanized steel transmission poles (A11), award of bid for poles to Nucor Towers & Structures Inc. (A12), and a resolution confirming assessment roll for Phase 5 Annexation Area 26 (A13).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Fargo Drive Closure: One speaker, Jimmy Kaiser of 115 Broadfoot Avenue, spoke in favor of permanently closing a portion of Fargo Drive to support hospital expansion. No opposition was heard.

Reports from Boards and Commissions

• Stormwater Advisory Board Annual Report: Chair Whitaker Granis presented the board's activities, including oversight of the Drainage Assistance Program (DAP), capital improvement projects (three expected to break ground in 2026), hazard mitigation grants, an impervious area analysis that found approximately $1 million in unbilled commercial fees, and early studies for the Cross Creek Channel Improvement Project. Council questions focused on DAP approval rates and the potential for a combined stormwater retention and recreation greenway downtown. The report was received by a unanimous vote.
• Joint Fayetteville-Cumberland County Senior Citizens Advisory Commission Annual Report: Chair Jackie Washington Brown outlined the commission's goals to increase senior engagement through community forums, a quality-of-life survey, quarterly newsletters, and formal recommendations to council. The commission noted it has no dedicated budget. Council members encouraged expansion of free classes (e.g., chair yoga) and outreach. The report was received by a unanimous vote.

Discussion Items

• Standardization of Peer City Analysis (Item 7.0A4): Council debated a staff recommendation to codify a list of 10 peer cities (the five largest NC cities larger than Fayetteville and five smaller). Councilmember Hondrose, the author, argued it ensures fair comparisons under NC statutes. Councilmember McMillan expressed concern that the list would limit innovation and overlook best practices from cities outside the South. Other members noted that the list is not exhaustive and that staff can supplement with national research. The motion to adopt the peer city standardization passed.
• Fargo Drive Closure (Public Hearing): After the public hearing, the council voted to adopt the resolution and order permanently closing a portion of Fargo Drive. The closure supports Cumberland County Hospital System's expansion. Utility easements and emergency service access were addressed.
• Project Odesa – Job Creation Incentive: Robert Van Geons of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation presented a proposal for the U.S. arm of a Ukrainian company to establish a manufacturing facility and HQ in an older vacant building, creating 162 direct jobs (average salary $70,000, minimum $50,000) plus an estimated 28 indirect/induced jobs. The company produces unmanned aerial vehicles for non-export data gathering and communication. The state offered an incentive package requiring a local match of $750 per job ($121,500 total) with clawback provisions. Councilmember McMillan opposed, citing concerns about the military-industrial complex, drone warfare, and lack of public notice. Others, including Mayor Pro Tem Thompson and Councilmember Hare, emphasized the economic benefits for a Tier 1 community with high unemployment. The motion to approve the grant passed 9-1, with McMillan voting against.
• Decision on SUP26-02 – Salvage/Junkyard at 610 E Russell Street: This was a quasi-judicial evidentiary hearing continued from May 26, 2026. Councilmember Hondrose moved to approve the special use permit with three conditions: (1) compliance with all UDO and legal standards, (2) installation of a new 6-foot-tall screening berm with evergreen trees along Russell Street, and (3) enhancement of the existing fence to a solid opaque privacy screen. He also read six findings of fact. Councilmember Hare asked about preserving existing trees; the applicant's attorney stated the plan is to retain as many trees as possible. The motion passed 6-4.
• TA26-01 – UDO Amendments on Data Centers (Request to Set Public Hearing): Councilmember McMillan moved to table the item, noting that he wanted it brought back as part of a comprehensive moratorium process. After debate, the motion to table passed (no date specified). Then Councilmember Hondrose moved to set a legislative public hearing for August 10, 2026, on the proposed UDO amendments, with a friendly amendment from Councilmember Green to require staff to present additional information (power usage, water usage, etc.) and hold an educational session for the public before the hearing. This motion passed.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved with items A3 (City Council Policy revisions) and A6 (Blue Street Facility Renovation) removed for later work session discussion. Item A4 (Peer City Analysis) was pulled for a separate vote and adopted.
• Peer City Standardization: Adopted.
• Stormwater and Senior Reports: Both received.
• Fargo Drive Closure: Approved (resolution and order adopted).
• Project Odesa Incentive: Approved 9-1 ($121,500 grant).
• Special Use Permit for Salvage Yard: Approved 6-4 with conditions.
• Data Center UDO Hearing: Motion to table the original request to set a hearing passed; subsequent motion set a public hearing for August 10, 2026, with additional information and public education sessions.
• Attempt to Add Moratorium on Data Centers: Failed for lack of a second.