Fayetteville Today

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) - The Fayetteville City Council met Nov. 13 at 7:15 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers to discuss matters relevant to the city in order to Fayetteville forward. 

The meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m., followed by a prayer of unity offered by Mrs. Amruta Bahekar with Hindu Bhavan Temple, Pastor Cornelia Challenger, Greater Unity Tabernacle Christian Church, and Imam Adam Beyah, Masjid Omar Ibn Sayiid. Following the prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Mayor Mitch Colvin. 

There were several ANNOUNCEMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS made by the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and Council. 

• Council Member Banks-McLaughlin recognized members and leaders from Girl Scout Troop #1804 for their dedication and commitment to preventing gun violence. The troop created a Public Service Announcement about gun violence. You can watch their PSA here. 
• Council Member Banks-McLaughlin announced the addition of the new Express Bus Route. This route services Two Bale Lane and Cross Creek Mall.  
• Mayor Pro Tem Dawkins wished his son Happy 37th birthday and daughter-in-law best wishes on her presentation at the National Liver Transplant Conference. 
• Council Member Jensen announced Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church will host their World Largest Spaghetti Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 614 Oakridge Drive from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. 
• Council Member Thompson wished Council Member Haire Happy Birthday. 
• Council Member Benavente presented a proclamation to Mr. Pavan Patel and Mrs. Amruta Bahekar in honor of Diwali. 
• Council Member Shakeyla Ingram thanked the Tulsa Initiative for their efforts in our community. She introduced Mr. Qu’Derrick Covington with Tulsa Initiative and four participants from the mentoring program. He thanked the City Leadership for their sponsorship of the “Keys to Success Male Resources Event”. The recognition was followed by a video of their impact in the community. 
• Mr. Douglas Hewett, City Manager reiterated the City Manager newsletter is published weekly and residents can sign up to receive it via the city’s website. In light of recent events of vandalism of religious houses of worship, Mr. Hewett invited Ms. Yamile Nazar to speak regarding the Human Relation Commissions.  

A motion was made to Approve the Agenda by Council Member Haire with the addition of an item to consider removal of demolition ordinance for 5002 Collins Street. Council Member Thompson seconded the motion and it PASSED (9-1) with Council Member Deno Hondros in opposition.  

The City Council acted on ten CONSENT AGENDA items during this meeting. The Consent Agenda is a group of items that are considered routine whereby all items are passed with a single motion and vote. Members of City Council can remove items from the Consent Agenda for further discussion prior to voting. Council Member Ingram moved to approve consent agenda which was seconded by Council Member Thompson. It was approved unanimously.

• Approval of meeting Minutes 
• October 18, 2023 - Agenda Briefing 
• October 23, 2023 - Discussion of Agenda Items 
• October 23, 2023 - Regular
• Resolution Authorizing a Quitclaim Deed of the City’s Title to the County in Order to Expedite the Sale of Land located off Scott Avenue. 
• Authorization of Condemnation of Easement on the Property Needed for the Morganton Road Sidewalk Project. 
• Adoption of Budget Ordinance Amendment 2024-6 to appropriate the 2023 Hartford Fire Safety Grant. 
• Request for Legal Representation of City Employees. 
• Support for Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Feasibility and Sustainability Plan. 
• Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Conveyance of Two Water and Sanitary Sewer Easements to the City of Fayetteville by and through Fayetteville Public Works Commission for the Ray Avenue Drainage Project.
• Affirmation of the Historical Marker Language at the Market House.
• PWC - Bid Recommendation - 360 Capacitor Cans for East and West Racks at POD2. 
• PWC - Bid Recommendation - AFT Compressor Casings.
• PWC - Bid Recommendation - Re-advertisement PO Hoffer Water Treatment Facility and Glenville Lake Water Treatment Facility Reliability Improvements Contract 55. 
• PWC - Resolutions Directing Construction of Area 28 and Area 33 North of the Phase 5 Annexation Utility Improvement Project be Undertaken.
• PWC - Phase 5 Annexation Area 24BC - Resolution Confirming Assessment Roll and Levying Assessments. 

PUBLIC FORUM 

The Fayetteville City Council meeting's Public Forum covered a diverse range of topics, reflecting the concerns and perspectives of the community. Residents addressed issues such as unity, homelessness, sustainability, and climate action plans. Public safety emerged as a significant theme, with speakers expressing their thoughts on crime and safety measures. Some residents voiced opposition to the proposed salary for the CoC Director, while others focused on specific concerns related to the County's proposed homeless shelter within city limits. 

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS 

During the Other Items of Business portion of the meeting, Council Continued deliberations for the evidentiary hearing on an application for special use permit to allow a school to be located in a Single Family 6 (SF-6) zoning district, located at 4502 Rosehill Road, and being the property of Bethel Christian Assembly Inc., represented by Del Crawford, Crawford Design Company. This was tabled from the October 23, 2023, City Council Meeting.  

Mayor Pro Tem Johnny Dawkins moved to approve the special use permit, seconded by Council Member D.J. Haire. The vote PASSED (9-1) with Council Member Marion Benavente in OPPOSITION. 

Mayor Pro Tem Dawkins moved to approve the Special Use Permit to allow operation of a school located in a Single Family 6 (SF-6) zoning district, subject to the conditions identified and a site plan located at 4502 Rosehill Road.  

(1) The special use complies with all applicable standards in Section 30-4.C., Use-Specific Standards;  

• According to Section 30-4.C.3.b.  Educational Facilities: 

1. Separation 

Except in the DT-1 or DT-2 Downtown Districts, all educational facilities, except colleges and vocational or trade schools, shall be located at least 500 linear feet from any the following uses: 

a. Adult entertainment; or 

b. Bar, nightclub, or cocktail use. 

2. Schools, Elementary/Middle/High 

a. Any temporary structures needed for the expansion of an elementary, middle, or high school located within SF-15, SF-10, or SF-6 districts, and on a site or parcel with an area of 20 acres or less, shall: 

1. Not be located between the principal building and any abutting right-of-way, unless there is no other practical alternative due to topography, the presence of utilities or easements, the existence of undisturbed open space and buffers, or other site features beyond the landowner's control; and 

2. Have the base of the structure screened from view from abutting properties and public streets. 

b. In the DT-1 or DT-2 Downtown Districts the City Manager must approve a parking plan and designated drop-off and pick-up area that, based the maximum capacity of the facility as licensed by the State, mitigates traffic congestion and minimizes or avoids the need for children to cross vehicular travel ways to enter or exit the school. 

(2) The special use will be in harmony with the area in which it is located;  

• According to the applicant, “The proposed educational use is compatible to the area neighborhood that currently contains a school and other non-residential oriented uses such as houses of worship. The proposed 8,120sf school building will be set back from the street over 300. The parking lot will be set back approximately 50. Therefore, the development shall not create an intrusive use or generate any more noise or vehicle traffic that is not already typical to the surrounding uses. Construction shall be in general compliance with the City's UDO standards including parking, landscaping, site access, etc.” 

(3) The special use will not materially endanger the public health or safety if located where proposed and developed according to the plan as submitted and approved; 

• The applicant states “The education development shall comply with the pertinent regulations of the City and State as related to public health and safety. The development would not generate any toxic fumes.  The site contains significant internal vehicle stacking for student drop-off. Therefore, parking of the back-up of vehicles on Rosehill Road is not anticipated.” 

(4) The special use is in general conformity with the City’s adopted land use plans and policies;  

• According to the applicant, “The UDO allows education facilities in the Single Family 6 (SF-6) zoning district as a special use. The area currently contains an education facility. Therefore, the development is compatible with the City's land use and policies.”  

(5) The special use will not substantially injure the value of the abutting land, or the special use is a public necessity; and  

• According to the application, the “Proposed fence allows for the protection of property values and the ability of neighboring lands to develop the uses permitted in the zoning district as it would be located behind an existing fence. These security fences actually discourage criminal activity in the area making it a community-enhancing, crime-reducing system. Furthermore, they reduce constraints upon police force allowing them to focus on other areas.” 

(6) The special use complies with all other relevant City, State, and Federal laws and regulations. 

• The applicant states that the site will be designed and constructed in general compliance with the City's UDO, NC Department of Environmental and Quality, NC Building Code, and other relevant regulations. 

Administrative Reports on a Regular Meeting agenda are for City Council review/information only. Should it be the consensus of the collective City Council, Administrative Reports will be moved forward to be placed on the next Work Session agenda for further review and discussion.  

No action was taken regarding the Feasibility of a Co-op on Murchison Road administrative report.  

The meeting adjourned at 9:09 p.m. 

The next City Council Regular Meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers in City Hall. The January Work Session will be held on Monday, Jan. 2 at 5 p.m. in the Lafayette Conference Room. Meetings also air live on Spectrum Channel 7, at FayTV.net and on the FayTV app available on your streaming device. Meeting agendas, supporting documentation and minutes are publicly available here. For more information about the Fayetteville City Council, please visit fayettevillenc.gov/city-council. 

Original source can be found here.