Planning commission approves one-year off-site parking permit for Car Mart at Lee Avenue parcel

The Fayetteville Planning Commission on June 9 approved a conditional use permit (CUP2025-024) to allow an off-site employee parking lot at 3243 North Lee Ave, a 0.25-acre parcel zoned UC (Urban Corridor). Staff recommended approval with conditions intended to limit visibility and prevent retail vehicle sales from occurring on the lot.

Planner Gretchen Harrison told commissioners the lot historically functioned as unpaved accessory parking and was rezoned to UC in last year’s corridor rezoning. She said the applicant proposes to install 20 parking spaces and a gated driveway on Lee Avenue and recommended conditions including a view-obscuring fence or vegetation between the lot and adjacent residences, prohibition on vehicular sales or display, no signage on the lot, and a one-year expiration with the option for extension contingent on issuance of a grading permit.

George DeCamp, representing the applicant Blue & Associates, said the prior approval had expired while the project was paused and the applicant is now ready to build. Beth Bridal, Car Mart’s project manager, explained the lot is intended for employee parking (approximately 20 employees at peak) and that the company does not intend to display cars for sale on that site. In response to questions, project representatives said they had arranged the site layout to make it difficult to use the space for vehicle sales and that the lot will be distinct from the dealership display area.

Commissioners debated compatibility and the potential for misuse of the lot as overflow vehicle storage or sales. Commissioner Garlock moved to approve the conditional use permit with staff’s recommended conditions; Commissioner Gulley seconded. The roll call vote was recorded as Payne: Yes; Prink: Yes; Garlock: Yes; Begetrick: Yes; Kaston: Yes; Kelly: Yes; Madden: Yes; Gabe: Yes. The motion passed.

Key conditions included: a required view-obscuring fence or wall and/or vegetation to screen the lot from residences to the north and east; prohibition on using the parcel for vehicle sales or display (that activity would require a separate conditional use or zoning change); prohibition of signage on the lot; and expiration after one year with allowed extensions tied to progress (grading permit issuance is the completion milestone noted by staff).

Next steps: applicant will complete grading and utility work and return to staff for extension or additional permits as needed; the lot’s use will be monitored to ensure compliance with the parking-only and no-sales conditions.

Sources: staff presentation by Gretchen Harrison; applicant remarks by George DeCamp and Beth Bridal; motion and vote recorded at the June 9 meeting.