Council approves PZD 2024-5 to rezone 44 acres near Bridal and West Salem; neighbors raise fire, drainage and compatibility concerns

The Fayetteville City Council on March 4 approved PZD 2024-5, a planned zoning district rezone for about 44 acres near North Bridal Road and West Salem Road (Ward 4). The council also granted a suspension of the rules to move the item to a final vote.

Jonathan Kurt, director of the Development Services Department, told council the PZD request would rezone property currently zoned RSF-4 to a planned zoning that aims to allow the same approximate number of housing units as by-right development while concentrating lots to preserve roughly 40% open space. Kurt explained the distinction between rezoning (land-use entitlement) and later development review, which addresses detailed topics such as street sections, fire access, stormwater design and parkland dedication. He said that some issues raised by neighbors — notably street cross-sections, fire access and drainage — are resolved during development entitlement and permitting, not at the zoning stage, although the city’s fire and parks staff review the PZD packet for early guidance.

Appl…