Sale barn rezoning denied
In a vote 4-3, aldermen rejected the proposed rezoning for the sale barn property.
Council members Shirley Lucas, Sarah Lewis, Brenda Theil and Kyle Cook opposed the ordinance that would have designated the sale barn property as Downtown General instead of its current I-1 (Heavy Commercial/Light Industrial) zoning.
Alderman Robert Rhoads was at the meeting, but at the time of the vote, he was not present. After the ordinance failed, Rhoads said that he would have been in favor of the rezoning.
If you follow the news around Fayetteville, it’s likely you already know the details of the issue. After years of operating the Washington County Sale and Livestock Barn, the owner wants to sell the property. He found a buyer in Campus Crest LLC, a company that wanted to build student housing on the land. But, the deal was contingent on rezoning the property to Downtown General, which would allow for residential uses.
Traffic caused by the new density of the area would ultimately funnel traffic into the surrounding neighborhood, Alderman Lucas said.
“The 2025 plan did not mean to destroy established neighborhoods,” she said. “I’m a supporter of modest neighborhoods.”
Alderman Cook said he had gone back and forth on the issue.
“While I’m very supportive of the [Downtown General] zone, I don’t think it’s the right zoning for this one piece of land,” said Cook, an alderman for Ward 2.
The proposed rezoning was met with harsh criticism, both from neighbors in the area and from veterans, who opposed the project based on its proximity to the National Cemetery.
Ward 3 Alderman Bobby Ferrell, who voted in favor of the zoning, said that despite public comments suggesting the sale barn property be used for the National Cemetery, the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation was not pursuing that land for expansion.
“There are men and women buried in that National Cemetery that I think would stand up in their grave because they gave their last full measure to protect our rights to own property, to buy property, to sell, to convey and to bequeath property,” Ferrell said.
This issue has been looming over the city council all summer. The first reading of the ordinance was on June 16. It was taken through three separate readings and was tabled twice.
Click below for a brief audio report by Mary Robbins:
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Mary Robbins is a guest contributor for the Fayetteville Flyer. Mary declared Fayetteville as her hometown upon moving here for college. She is a Journalism graduate who enjoys live music, the outdoors and attending city council meetings. For more of Mary’s contributions, visit her author page.
Comments
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By interested party on September 15th, 2009
You forgot to mention that after the vote rhoads came back to the meeting. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. If it had been a tie, the mayor would have had to break it. That was convenient.
By why on September 15th, 2009
Why are elected officials not required to vote on issues… Is that not a huge part of their job.. They were elected into that position and should do the job they asked for…
By Me on September 16th, 2009
Seriously; 8 alderman should have voted and we can’t get them all in the same room to do so? Rhoads was at the meeting but not present for the vote? Does that mean he went to the bathroom and they quickly voted while he was out? This issue was going on for months and they can’t wait until they have all 8 people present?! This is the one of the stupidest city politcs story I have heard!
By Another local resident on September 16th, 2009
Did anybody read the Times? It’s obvious the Mayor wanted to avoid explaining his position to the public.
By burgerboy on September 16th, 2009
Residents overwhelmingly said during the charette process for City Plan 2025 that they wanted infill development.
Who in their right mind would pitch an infill project in the city of Fayetteville?
From Ruskin Heights now to Campus Crest, infill developers have to fight tooth and nail to get approval, and in some cases like this one, spend money and time and all for nought.
Our city goverment is basically worthless at this point, controlled and manipulated by a tiny minority of extremist enviro-nazis who will use any and all manner of excuse to attempt to block any development or redevelopment that comes up.
Show me one development that Aubrey Shepherd supports besides his own house.
By Cody Kees on September 16th, 2009
Alderman Robert Rhoads was present at the meeting, but missed the vote? Then he declared he would be in favor of rezoning? Can Fayetteville Flyer please report more on this interesting discovery? If he makes the fourth vote we have a whole new ballgame. Lets get this issue back on the table for an accurate vote by the council and put the mayor in the position to vote this bill up or down. How does an elected official conveniently miss a crucial vote?
By burgerboy on September 16th, 2009
Mayor Jordan shows once again that he isn’t a leader. He has no convictions, just whatever the people whispering in his ear want.
Unfortunately he only ever talks to a tiny minority of antii-development zealots.
By Brandon Kittler on September 16th, 2009
What is the story with Rhoads? That a council member would be at the meeting, and somehow not around to vote is ridiculous. This is not what they are paid to do.
By An interested party on September 16th, 2009
The vote was put off several times because the opposing side would not have all of the members there to vote. So why did they vote without rhoads????
By An interested party on September 16th, 2009
Also, rhoads said he would be called away during the meeting. So it sounds like the whole thing was set up prior to the vote!!
By David Franks on September 16th, 2009
Another local resident–
I was not at the meeting and I’ve not seen any TV coverage, so I have no idea what went on or the tone of anything that was said.
I read the Times story, and there is nothing in it to indicate any such thing about the mayor; you appear to suppose that the mayor knew how Mr. Rhoades would vote and perhaps even had something to do with the “personal matter” that took Mr. Rhoades away, perhaps further knowing that Mr. Rhoades’ return was imminent. On the other hand, it would be interesting to know why Mr. Rhoades did not request that the vote be delayed until his return, why he comes across as nonchalant about it, and what he meant by his remark about Mr. Farrell.
By An interested party on September 16th, 2009
I have watched several of the city council meetings online live, you can too. It will be posted on the website. I don’t know what the mayor knew or what was in Rhoads mind, all I know is what it looked like and it looked really shady.
By Bean Counter on September 16th, 2009
I love conspiracy theorists’ fantasies, but empirical evidence tells a different story. Robert Rhoads is not a diligent member of the council. Go to accountablegov.com and you’ll see that he has the worst attendance of any member. Worse than Adella Gray who is often out of state visiting her grandchildren, and worse than Matthew Petty who was laid up with a bum leg. The search of the site shows he was absent for 96 roll calls and “did not vote” on 102. I don’t think the mayor or anyone else is responsible for him being irresponsible to his constituents.
By Me on September 16th, 2009
I already commented, but I have to say it again: This is one of the stupidest city politics stories I have heard. Thank you flyer for the facinating glimpse into what goes on withour city council… this is just an embarrasing story for Fayetteville.
By Todd on September 16th, 2009
Click here for full video from last night’s City Council Meeting. Also, note that we’ve added a brief audio report above from Mary Robbins.
By Offcamber on September 16th, 2009
Fayetteville is like a Christopher Guest film, but without any humor. Or musicals. There’s a certain bungled plebeian seriousness to everything that comes away as a joke on itself.
By watching..waiting..laughing on September 16th, 2009
Unbelievable, this debate has gone on for months and as it was finally going to get put to rest, Alderman Rhodes completely disgraces himself and his constituents. If I could say one thing to Mr. Bartholomew, the owner of the sale barn property, it would be that I am sorry that you were not given a full chance with all of Fayetteville’s alderman. Mr Rhodes knew that this had been on the agenda for months, and he doesn’t get the fact that his actions have real consequences for real people. He has no accountability. Well Mr. Bartholomew since the city and all those people don’t want a Downtown General zoning for that property you should find a business that fits the zoning, a company that makes a product where the manufacturing process is very loud, maybe even creates a foul odor. A business that has 3 shifts works 24hrs a day, you want it commercial, commercial it will be.
By seb on September 16th, 2009
What a mess. Overdevelopment of rentals and excess supply has turned many former student housing complexes into virtual slums. We’ve gone way beyond the point of offering affordable housing for all who once could not afford to live in this city. The last thing I want to see is one more big rental complex here. But while I am not necessarily in favor of more units built in the city, even I know that rezoning was the right thing to do in order to revitalize south Fay’ville and the Mill District area. And even though I sympathize a little bit with the vet’s position, you just can’t hand pick your neighbors – there are much worse possibilities than housing units, as I am sure we will all find out. In my opinion, everyone loses with this decision.
I have to wonder whose back Mr Rhodes is scratching.
By yrfuneralmytrial on September 16th, 2009
There should be a “best of the worst” list of city government decisons, quotes etc… For bonus fun, there could be a “most idiotic quote” uttered by a member of the public while attending a council meeting. There’s been some shining stars over the years.
By Dustin on September 16th, 2009
@yrfuneralmytrial Have you seen this lady?
By ddp gallery on September 16th, 2009
@Dustin
the Santa Cruz lady – amazing – too bad the poster disabled commenting.
By yrfuneralmytrial on September 16th, 2009
She’s incredibly dumb and spacey but at least she’s positive and somewhat charming and lovable. The people I’m thinking of are just dismal. All the “fantasy” business & property owners that want every new thing to be a perfect fit for their needs/wants. All while having nothing at risk.
By paablo on September 17th, 2009
Don’t forget about this lady: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hcg-pwKfru0
By Dexter on September 17th, 2009
The City of Fayetteville has a guideline for committees and advisory boards to follow which states that a person who misses more than 3 meetings get taken off the board. Even when Rhodes is there sitting in his seat he isn’t really there. He is often seen 3 feet back from the table doing his legal paper work while council is in session on live TV. He shows a total lack of concern for his position and the people he is suppose to represent. AWOL ( absent without leave) during these times should be a executable offense or at least immediate removal from office. Maybe people from his ward just don’t care?
By sofresh-n-sogay on September 17th, 2009
sounds not unlike Congress.
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