Fayetteville council leaves contested Ramey junior-high rezoning on first reading after hours of testimony

Summary

After more than two hours of presentations and public testimony both for and against the school district’s plan, the Fayetteville City Council left RZN2025-48 (rezoning ~26.7 acres on North Marks Mill Lane to P‑1) on first reading; a motion to table for further study and to allow a conservation group time to pursue a purchase failed on a tied vote.

Mayor Ron opened a long public hearing on RZN2025‑48, a proposal to rezone roughly 26.7 acres near Marks Mill Lane from RSF‑4/UC to P‑1 institutional to enable a proposed new Ramey Junior High. Fayetteville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Mulford told the council the district identified the parcel after a multi‑year search and argues the site would reduce travel distances for students, improve feeder‑pattern equity and allow a campus that integrates preserved forest as an outdoor learning resource. “We checked a lot of boxes,” Dr. Mulford said, describing efforts to minimize the building footprint and to pursue environmental certifications and replanting to reach “mid‑to‑upper 30%” canopy preservation.

Planning staff and the planning commission recommended the rezoning: Development Services Director Jonathan Kurth told the council the commission forwarded the…

Fayetteville council leaves contested Ramey junior-high rezoning on first reading after hours of testimony

Summary

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