The N.C. League of municipalities publishes a bi-monthly magazine that is distributed to 540 North Carolina towns.  Fayetteville is featured on the cover of this month’s edition. The publication is distributed to every elected municipal official and every key appointed official.  The magazine keeps officials abreast on how other cities and towns meet challenges.

The article speaks of 13 miles of sidewalk that have been laid in the past five years.  With pedestrian commuters jumping from 1.7 to 5.4 percent.  According to the magazine, that’s the largest increase of pedestrian commuters among the nation’s largest cities. The new downtown parking deck is also featured in the publication. The International Parking Institute awarded the city with the “Award for Architectural Achievement” in 2013.

To view the article in it’s entirety, please follow the link below. http://www.nclm.org/programs-services/publications/Pages/southern-city.aspx

City of Fayetteville Planning Retreat
Embassy Suites – Fayetteville
February 7-8, 2014

What Happened:  The new City Council met for two days to listen to briefings and to decide on a strategic plan of top priorities that will be relevant for 2014/15.

General Comments:

• Placemaking – create an environment you want to be in.  Third spaces (not work or home).  There are lessons learned.  An example would be the Crown Collisiuem.  A ball field instead of jail downtown.  These are two classic failed placemeaking errors to learn from
• Next property revaluation will be January, 2017
• There will be a “Crime Summit” April 11, 104

Economic Development – Deputy City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney gave a presentation on the possibllity of establishing an Economic Business Development (EBD) city department.  The following information is from her power point.

• Establish an “EBD” fund @ $500,000 to assist with working capitol needs and to leverage private participation and to assist and incentivize city-wide business, recruitment, retention and expansion
• Develop guidelines for the use of EBD funds
• Develop an “Economic Development Strategic Plan”
• Establish a comprehensive marketing program for economic and business development plan
• Year 1, 2015 – create a Department of Economic and Business Development.  Reclassify special projects.  Hire a Director of Economic and Business Development.  Add an administrative Assistant in July, 2015.  Hire a business recruiter and development recruiter in the 3rd quarter of 2015.

What Was Said regarding the EBD:

Councilman Crisp – “We need an office, a central office.  A point where someone who has $50,000 can go to an office to guide them to a grant/loan/license.  A department to interact with all business out there…to direct a business on where they need to go.”

Councilwoman Jensen – “Starting my business at 40 was tough.  People need education.  They need training before we give them money.”

Deputy City Manager Small-Toney – “This is not an open door to Fort Knox.  There will be guidelines and requirements for businesses to be considered.”

Sideline:  There will be an upcoming worksession which will focus on this proposal.

City Council 2014/15 priorities:

• police staffing
• ex-offender 2nd chance
• customer service initiative (City Hall)
• economic development – local merchants
• trade school for ages 18-24
• parks and recreation funding
• Performing Arts Center (ie. DPAC in Durham)
• sidewalk improvement plan
• land use plan
• resurfacing streets

Other Comments from Council:

Councilwoman Jensen – “Expectations are high with this new council.”

Councilman Wright – “Let’s get about the works of the city’s business.  Let’s see how we deal with disagreement and get things done.”

Councilman Hurst – “This is going to be a more business friendly council.”

Councilman Crisp – “We go so bogged down with personaility conflicts.  This council understands each can give and take.  We won’t go out in a parking lot after a vote or go back to our districts with sour grapes.  We did have some setbacks.”

 

The following changes to the United Development Ordinance Chapter 30 regarding modifications to zero lot line standards were approved. Information is from the planning staff’s power point which can be viewed in it’s entirety www.cityoffayetteville.org

Definition of Zero Lot Line – to provide flexibility in setbacks and lot dimensions when two or more structures intended for individual ownership are being built.

Benefits to a developer – maximization of density; oddly shaped or constrained sites can now become more usable; infill becomes more feasible.

• allows zero lot line (ZLL) standards in additional zoning districts
• deletes complex tables
• allows ZLL in Agriculture-Residential (AR) and all other base districts
• design standards for single family and duplex development
  -type A buffer when side or rear yard faces the front of another house
  -orientation is to the street
• infill development on small sites (< 3 acres) requires a special use permit (two quasi-judicial hearings)
• The changes rely on design standards in Article 5 and with ZLL changes to provide compatibility with surrounding development for most ZLL projects
• less compatible plans will require a hearing before the Planning Commission and can be appealed to the City Council

Incompatible plans surrounding neighborhoods resulting from:

• excessive pavement in front yards – no more than 50% impervious surface allowed in front yards
• structure orientation not to primary street (unlike the rest of the neighborhood)
• uniformity of individual building design
• setbacks

 

Fayetteville City Council
Regular Meeting
January 13, 2014

What Happened:  The City Council discussed lowering the 8% interst rate for sewer assessments to Public Works Commission customers who are required to pay for sewer installation due to annexation. Steve Blanchard (PWC CEO) and Mike Lallier (PWC Commission Chairman) answered questions regarding the 3 interest rate scenarios (listed below).  A motion was made to set the new interest rate at 5.25%.  The motion PASSED with Councilmembers Wright, Mohn, Colvin and Crisp voting in opposition.

Sidebar:  The new interest rate begins immediately and will be revisited on July 1, 2014.

Background: Homeowners are assessed $5,000 after sewer construction.  The City of Fayetteville and PWC pays the remainder.

Interest rates that were considered:  current 8% interest rate, 6% interest rate, prime (5.25%) +2%

 What Was Said:

Mike Lallier (PWC Chairman) – “These projects are cash flow sensitive.  1.9 million has not been paid.”

Councilman Wright – “Is PWC in the business to make money?”

Lallier – “It will cost 240 million for phase 5 with 8,000 properties.  90 million spent by the city, 90 million by PWC, 40 million by residents and 20 million interest income.  This is not a for profit project.”

Steve Blanchard (PWC Chairman) – “No PWC taxpayer money is contributed to that.”

Councilman Crisp – “Of the 500 homes serviced, 38% paid in the first 30 days…that means 60% financed and 2% defaulted.  We are looking at a program that garnered 20 million dollars from people who can’t afford it.  I’m getting calls saying I don’t have the money to pay the interest.  If you change the rate that still doesn’t help.  Why can’t interest rate change to 1% or 2%? Or a very small fee and figure out a way for the shortfall?”