FAYETTEVILLE — The City Council devoted several hours Tuesday to discuss two projects affecting neighborhoods west of the University of Arkansas campus.
Aldermen unanimously voted to seek more input from city and university engineers and the council’s Transportation Committee before vacating three cul-de-sacs west of Razorback Road university officials want to turn into parking lots.
The issue will again be discussed Jan. 21.
The three cul-de-sacs — Court Street, Brenda Drive and Walton Street — used to be surrounded by rental houses and duplexes. The university has been buying property west of Razorback Road for 2 1/2 years. Residences were demolished earlier this year, and gravel parking lots have gone in their place.
At A Glance
Council Action
Fayetteville’s City Council met Tuesday and:
Appointed 31 people to 11 boards and committees, including the Airport Board, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the state’s first energy improvement district.
Was set to consider awarding a $4.6 million construction contract to APAC-Central of Fayetteville for Van Asche Drive widening and extension between Gregg and Garland avenues. No decision was made on the contract before press time.
Source: Staff Report
Once paved, six individual lots would feature about 900 parking spaces. The university has agreed to build connector streets tying Graham Avenue at Center Street to Thomas Avenue at Hotz Drive and creating another entry point to Razorback Road between Hotz Drive and Center Street.
David and Debra Boddington, who live near the parking lots on Hotz Drive, told aldermen Tuesday they were concerned about more drivers using residential streets to get to and from campus.
David Boddington said Thomas Avenue, in particular, wouldn’t be able to handle increased traffic. The street, which ties into Markham Road, is barely wide enough for two cars and has ditches on both sides.
“That street cannot handle the traffic period,” Boddington said.
A proposal from Alderman Alan Long to restrict parking lot access on Hotz Drive failed.
Mike Johnson, associate vice chancellor for facilities, said university officials would be willing to limit access out of the parking lot to right turns only, thus funneling traffic onto what will be a widened Razorback Road and reducing drivers using neighborhood streets.
Johnson added city officials should improve Thomas Avenue for vehicular and pedestrian access.
Alderman Matthew Petty suggested limiting access to right turns only for northbound drivers and left turns only for drivers headed west on Hotz Drive from Razorback Road.
Ultimately, the council decided to review the issue further.
Hours at the Pratt Place Inn and Barn were limited to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until midnight Friday and Saturday when the City Council approved zoning and development plans for the property, 2231 W. Markham Road, in 2005.
After receiving multiple noise complaints and after being notified by the city events were being held past permitted hours, Julian Archer of Pratt Place Inn requested extended operating hours.
Archer said Tuesday Pratt Place has always operated within permitted noise levels for residential areas. He said more than four events per month have been occasionally held on the property in conflict with another restriction city officials put on in 2005.
Several nearby property owners said Tuesday they weren’t in favor of changes to an agreement that could add more noise and more traffic during late-night hours.
“I think you really need to consider how many people are being affected by this who didn’t want it in the first place,” said Fran Alexander, a resident.
A proposal by Alderman Long to change allowable hours to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and to 7 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday failed.
Alderwoman Sarah Marsh suggested changing hours to 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 7 a.m.-midnight Thursday through Saturday.
The proposal was still being discussed at press time Tuesday.