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Council approves multiple land-use votes and a vacation; debate continues on renter-related ordinance
Summary
Fayetteville City Council approved multiple zoning and right-of-way actions on Feb. 18, including a rezoning at 818 South Wood Ave., a vacation at 903 W. North St., and a 22.67-acre PZD at 19 E. Nineteenth St.; debate continued over repeal of Ordinance 6,800 following an AG opinion.
The Fayetteville City Council on Feb. 18 approved multiple land-use items and a right-of-way vacation, while also discussing whether to repeal an existing rental-related ordinance after an Attorney General opinion.
Key votes and approvals - RZN-2024-060 (818 South Wood Ave., Ward 1): Council adopted an ordinance rezoning approximately 0.37 acres from NC (Neighborhood Conservation) to RIU (Residential Intermediate Urban) and completed third reading after a motion to suspend rules (B1). The item moved through the readings with a full roll-call approval. - VAC-24-27 (903 West North Street, Ward 2): The council approved an ordinance to vacate approximately 0.24 acres of street right-of-way subject to conditions including utility easements and access easement dedications; staff and the planning commission had recommended approval with conditions (C1). Council approved moving the item to second and then third reading and ultimately passed the ordinance. - PZD-2024-008 (19 East Nineteenth Street, Ward 1): Council approved a planned zoning district allowing clustered commercial, recreational and natural areas across approximately 22.67 acres, with the planning commission having forwarded the request by unanimous vote; council approved the item on successive readings (C2).
Ordinance 6,800 repeal discussion: Council discussed an ordinance to repeal Ordinance 6,800 (B2). City staff referenced an Arkansas Attorney General opinion concluding that the ordinance likely violated a provision of state law (ACA section 14-43-608). Councilmembers debated whether to immediately repeal or hold the item while drafting a separate "truth in leasing" ordinance intended to provide renter protections. No final repeal vote was recorded at the Feb. 18 meeting; council members expressed differing views about whether to postpone repeal until replacement language is prepared.
Consent agenda: The council approved a seven-item consent agenda including approvals related to the United States Postal Service lease at the airport terminal, sanitary sewer cost-share agreements for downtown development, and selection of on-call materials testing consultants.
Why it matters: The rezoning and PZD votes amend the official zoning map and enable new development and infrastructure work in Ward 1 and Ward 2. The vacation approval includes conditions intended to protect utilities and pedestrian access and requires coordination with franchise utilities including AT&T. The B2 repeal discussion touches municipal limits under state law and the council's ability to regulate rental-related fees and practices.
Ending: Council approved several land-use items and a right-of-way vacation and left the repeal of Ordinance 6,800 pending further drafting and consideration; staff will continue work on replacement language and the legal and procedural details.
