Council approves rezoning amendment for Next Chapter Neighborhood on North Raven Lane

The Fayetteville City Council on Nov. 4 approved an amendment to Planned Zoning District 2025‑3 that reduces the originally proposed PZD to a 33‑acre parcel north of Crystal Springs Phase 4 and adjacent to Underwood Park, clearing the way for a Next Chapter Neighborhood development. The council voted in favor after hearing staff analysis, a developer presentation and public comment.

Planning staff presented the amendment and described the property'''''s location in northwest Fayetteville and the changes from the prior, larger proposal. Jonathan Kurth, planning staff, said the revision removes the northeastern corner of the previously proposed PZD and limits the rezoning to the portion immediately north of the Crystal Springs Phase 4 subdivision. Staff recommended approval and noted the Planning Commission had recommended the larger proposal previously.

Andrew Meltzer, the applicant, presented the Next Chapter Neighborhood concept and site plan, describing roughly 276 market‑rate single‑family cottage units with average floor plans near 1,100 square feet, public street connections to the city master street plan, and multiple pedestrian links to Underwood Park. Meltzer said the project is designed as a market‑rate rental community that emphasizes individual homes without shared walls, a variety of floor plans and preserved green space along Claver Creek.

Council members asked about street construction, whether the connecting roads would be built to public standards and dedicated to the city, tree preservation and the location of wetland areas. Meltzer and staff said the blue streets on the plan would be public and built to standard; private streets would remain private and managed by the developer. They also said engineers helped shift roads and units to preserve tree groves and that the project complies with city tree‑preservation rules and will include landscaping beyond the minimum requirements. A traffic impact analysis had been submitted with the packet and, staff said, did not require on‑site road improvements. The applicant said Fayetteville Schools had been contacted and raised no concerns.

Two nearby residents spoke: Craig Underwood supported the project and described a long partnership with the developer and park plans; Kyle Smith, a resident, welcomed the connectivity but expressed caution about private streets and long‑term maintenance. After public comment the council amended and then approved the ordinance on final reading by roll call.

The council recorded the final vote in the meeting roll call and approved the PZD amendment. Next steps include development review and the large‑scale development permitting process, which will require the applicant to submit detailed engineering, landscaping and construction plans for city review and approval.