Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Rezoning Willow 209 topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission forwards rezoning at 209 South Willow to reduce height and broaden uses near historic neighborhood
Summary
The Planning Commission forwarded a rezoning request on June 9 to change three parcels at 209 South Willow Ave from RMF-24 to Urban Neighborhood, a move that would lower permitted building height and broaden allowable small-scale commercial uses near a historic Black community area.
On June 9 the Fayetteville Planning Commission voted to forward a rezoning request for three parcels totaling approximately 0.51 acres at 209 South Willow Ave from RMF-24 to UN (Urban Neighborhood). Staff recommended forwarding the rezoning to City Council with a recommendation of approval.
Planner Gretchen Harrison said the site sits near the Vaughn Richardson Center, Saint James Baptist Church outreach facilities, Buddy Hayes Park and transit stops; staff noted the City Plan 2040 future land use map designates the area as Residential Neighborhood and gave the parcels a weighted infill score of 11. Harrison explained that rezoning from RMF-24 to UN would reduce maximum height from five stories to three, decrease minimum lot widths and allow a broader mix of small-scale nonresidential uses by right (e.g., offices, restaurants, cultural facilities) while some uses would remain conditional.
Applicant Wesley Bates described a cluster-housing concept and cited historical precedent for small neighborhood commercial uses. Bates noted alley-frontage rules under the new district might create interesting opportunities to orient smaller buildings toward alleys. Public comments included both support and caution: Brian Teague spoke in favor, saying the district provides useful lot-width flexibility and that Spring Street historically contained mixed uses; other commenters and historic-district representatives asked that changes respect neighborhood character and the site’s location within the Hillside Hilltop overlay, which triggers tree preservation and additional permit-level review.
Commissioner Garlock moved to forward RZN2025-019 to City Council with a recommendation for approval; Commissioner Payne seconded. The roll call vote recorded Payne: Yes; Brink: Yes; Arlach: Yes; Begetrick: Yes; Kaston: Yes; Kelly: Yes; Madden: Yes; Cabe: Yes. The motion carried.
Commissioners and staff noted that because the site lies partly in the Hillside Hilltop overlay district, additional canopy preservation (an extra 5% minimum) and building-specific review will apply at the permit stage. Any future building permits will require tree-preservation and hillside design checks, and development proposals will be subject to site-specific review for drainage, tree preservation and other overlay requirements.
Sources: staff presentation by Gretchen Harrison; applicant remarks by Wesley Bates; public comments by Brian Teague and others; Planning Commission roll call on June 9.
