Fayetteville City Council Regular Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Fayetteville City Council met on August 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included approval of most consent items, a staff report on the FY26 Strategic Performance, a public hearing on proposed Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments for telecommunications and data storage facilities (data centers), and votes on a speed limit reduction and a building reuse grant. After extensive debate, the council voted to refer the UDO amendments back to staff for further study and refinement.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from meetings in June and July 2026.
• Approved changing the work session start time from 3:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Adopted the recommended FY 2027 Strategic Plan.
• Authorized acquisition of an 11.8-acre and a 3.21-acre parcel off Aviation Parkway.
• Adopted a resolution declaring Fayetteville a North Carolina Military Host City.
• Approved zoning changes for properties at 3100 Tallywood Drive (MR-5/CZ to MR-5), 8424 King Road (AR to SF-15), and 2002 Hope Mills Rd (SF-10 to NC).
• Authorized professional service contracts for College Lakes Dam Improvements ($1,658,000 to Schnabel Engineering South, PC) and FY27 Citywide Stormwater Asset Inventory ($2,000,000 to Freese and Nichols).
• Adopted ordinance reducing Blanton Road speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph (pulled and debated separately, see Discussion Items).
• Adopted resolution supporting Skyeton, Inc. (formerly Project Odesa) and authorizing a $500,000 NC Department of Commerce Building Reuse Grant application (pulled and debated separately, see Discussion Items).
• Adopted budget ordinance amendments, special revenue fund project ordinances, capital project ordinances, and accepted various federal grants.
• Authorized PWC contracts for bid rejections, sole source purchases, and construction awards for water/wastewater infrastructure improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Hearing on TA26-01 (Data Center UDO Amendments): Six speakers spoke in favor, twelve in opposition.
  • In favor: Zachary Trailer expressed support for data centers. Azim Lakhani argued data centers are essential for AI economy and national security. Former Representative John Szoka said the proposed ordinance is one of the best he has seen but recommended adding detailed water management plans and utility capacity determinations. Richard Van Wy and Lamont Hinson (PWC representative) noted that proper regulations should await actual proposals and assured that PWC would not raise residential rates for large customers.
  • Opposition: Amelia Maxfield Chavez and Carol Ollinger cited environmental and social harms. Jose Cardona and Angela Tatum called for a moratorium and stronger regulations. Alan Nazarchek, Stuart Williams, Christy Davis, and others expressed concerns about noise, water use, pollution, and the suitability of the proposed site near Custer Avenue. Jacinda Matthew and Zach Drummond argued the jobs would not benefit most residents and that data centers would strain resources.

Discussion Items

• Blanton Road Speed Limit Reduction (7.0A11): Councilmember McMillan pulled the item, arguing the process bypassed city policy 160.3 and a public hearing. Councilmember Hare defended the reduction, citing resident requests and a recent wreck. The city attorney clarified the policy's language ("may") does not preclude council action. After debate, the council voted 7-3 to adopt the reduction (McMillan, Green, Ferguson opposed).
• Skyeton, Inc. Building Reuse Grant (7.0A12): Councilmember McMillan opposed, citing lack of transparency and ties to Ukraine/Israel. Economic development staff noted the company would invest $2.5 million in a vacant building and create jobs averaging $70,000/year. A motion to reject failed for lack of second; a motion to approve passed 9-1 (McMillan opposed).
• FY26 Yearend Strategic Performance Report (8.0): Presented by Chris Lowry. Key results: violent crime 13% below baseline, police response time averaged 7:41 (Q4: 6:47), 1,360+ interactions at the Day Resource Center, 47 first-time homebuyers assisted, 496 commercial permits issued (nearly double target), 63.19 miles of road resurfaced, 39,447 linear feet of sidewalk constructed, and 3,200+ participants at Orange Street School programs. Council received the report.
• TA26-01 Data Center UDO Amendments (9.0): Staff presented five ordinance changes covering definitions, use table, use-specific standards (setbacks, noise, generator testing), parking/loading, and airport overlay. After the public hearing, Councilmember McMillan moved to reconsider a moratorium; the motion failed 5-5 (needed supermajority). Councilmember Green then moved to refer the amendments back to staff to incorporate the 15 best practices from Loudoun County, recommendations from Rep. Szoka and Clarence Briggs (AIT), and public input, with a special meeting by end of October. The motion carried.

Key Outcomes

• Blanton Road speed reduction approved (7-3).
• Skyeton, Inc. grant application approved (9-1).
• FY26 Strategic Performance Report received.
• TA26-01 data center UDO amendments referred back to staff for further refinement; special meeting to be scheduled by end of October.
• Motion to impose a moratorium on data centers failed (5-5).