FAYETTEVILLE -- The City Council wants two more weeks to think about a contract that would help shape the future of College Avenue.
The council on Tuesday tabled a $153,000 contract with RDG Planning + Design of Omaha, Neb. The contract would have the firm orchestrate a broad vision for development on two sections of U.S. 71B, running from Cato Springs Road to Rock Street and North Street to Lake Fayetteville.
The effort would be included in an update to the city's comprehensive land use plan, City Plan 2040. Planning staff members are working on that plan this year.
The City Council in December rezoned the stretch from Maple to North streets and applied downtown design standards to the buildings in that area. The regulations will make it so any new buildings will sit 10 to 25 feet from the sidewalk and reach a height of no more than four stories.
This proposal would take on the rest of the corridor. The original plan was to take on College Avenue from North Street onward. Council member Sarah Marsh requested the southern portion be included, where College Avenue splits and becomes Archibald Yell Boulevard and South School Avenue. The entire stretch doubles as U.S. 71B.
Next meeting
When: 5:30 p.m. June 19
Where: Room 219, City Hall, 113 W. Mountain St.
The selected consultant will come up with concept designs, recommend rezoning districts along the corridor and help organize public outreach.
Marsh brought up concerns about the wording of the contract with RDG. A number of the city's overall plans and big-picture ideas, such as attainable housing and stormwater management were not included, she said.
"This is going to shape our city for centuries. We're going to be investing a lot of money -- not just public money, but also the private sector's income," Marsh said. "I feel like we need to do this right. I have a lot of concern that this is not the right team to do that."
Thirteen firms submitted proposals for qualification. Development Services Director Garner Stoll said many of Marsh's concerns would be addressed under the broad terms of the contract.
Council member Mark Kinion made the motion to table the item so that all of the council members could review the proposal documents. The motion passed unanimously.
In other business, the council awarded a $229,000 contract to CH2M Hill Engineers for a stormwater utility feasibility study. The study entails taking a close look at the city's drainage and flooding issues. CH2M, now known as Jacobs, has managed the city's wastewater plants for decades.
Depending on the outcome of the study and a robust public input effort, CH2M could recommend a framework for a fee that would go on residents' water bills to pay for the necessary drainage improvements. City Engineer Chris Brown said a possible fee would be based on the impervious surface area a property takes up.
A preliminary assessment showed the city has $15-20 million in needed drainage improvements. It would take about 50 years to take on all of the work at the current rate -- about $410,000 annually.
The study should finish by March. The City Council will have final say on any recommendations.
Mayor Lioneld Jordan said the city has been talking about taking on such an effort since his time on the council. He said he plans to form a subcommittee to address drainage and flooding issues.
"This is really one of those historic moments," Jordan said.
The council also left on its second reading a rezoning proposal for about 24 acres southwest of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Hanshew Road, near Kessler Mountain.
The request would rezone the entire parcel to an urban thoroughfare district. About 8 acres, mostly along the southern property line, would be dedicated as a tree preservation easement. Another 7.5 acres in the center has been proposed as a luxury recreational vehicle resort.
Council member Matthew Petty said he would like to see the more intense zone near the street, with separate zoning of less intensity usage flowing up the mountain.
The council will take up the item again at its next meeting.
NW News on 06/06/2018
