Council grants appeal and approves large-scale ‘The Verve’ development with $200,000 waterline contribution

The Fayetteville City Council voted to grant an appeal and approve a large-scale development plan for a multi‑story residential project known on the record as “The Verve,” a proposed 272‑unit, primarily five‑story building wrapped around a central parking structure on the block bounded by Treadwell, Putnam, Duncan and Hill avenues.

Planning staff identified two variances where the proposed project did not meet the Unified Development Code: certain street-standard dimensions for new on‑street parking and sidewalk/streetscape elements, and the city’s pedestrian-circulation requirement that ground-floor units have direct street access. Staff supported the variances, saying the project would meet the spirit and intent of the master-street plan and that topography and existing overhead utilities constrained strict compliance.

A separate, higher-profile dispute concerned a city waterline upgrade: staff and applicant discussed upgrading an 8‑inch water main to a 12‑inch line to address potential system impacts. The Planning Commission split 4–4 on the project after the developer proposed an initial $50,000 contribution and later $100,000; the council heard that the applicant subsequently offered $200,000 as a payment in lieu of constructing the 12‑inch main and that the applicant’s contractor estimate supported that figure.

Applicants said they had worked with staff and were prepared to advance construction; project representatives told the council the development would incorporate sidewalks, on‑street parking where possible, ground-floor nonresidential uses at a northwest “piazza” corner and a wraparound building design intended to activate the block. Architect and project team members said the development would provide multiple pedestrian access points and shared building entries where topography made individual unit street access impractical.

After questions from council about parking, pedestrian access and the waterline funding, the council voted to grant the appeal and approve the large-scale development, accepting the $200,000 payment in lieu for the waterline upgrade and the variances as requested. The resolution as adopted did not preclude the city and developer from later negotiating a formal cost share or for the developer to actually perform the waterline construction prior to street work; staff said they prefer construction coordination to avoid cutting new pavement.

The council’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with final engineering and building-permit processes subject to the development review and any conditions imposed by staff during permits.