FAYETTEVILLE -- The City Council agreed Tuesday people should have some kind of identifying marker if they want to drink outside during events, but stopped short of approving a proposal to create an entertainment district.
Deputy Police Chief Mike Reynolds told the council having outside drinkers wear wristbands or have stamps on their hands will help officers identify who's allowed. Little Rock incorporated wristbands into its entertainment district ordinance, which will take effect Friday.
Council action
Fayetteville’s City Council met Tuesday and approved:
• Rezoning a lot southwest Rock Street and Mill Avenue, near the Yvonne Richardson Community Center, for residential use but with a smaller lot size than before.
• Rezoning land south of 15th Street and Razorback Road for development. The property makes up just more than 5 acres along 1,300 linear feet.
Source: Staff report
Council members debated the language of an amendment and settled on "designated physical identifier." Mayor Lioneld Jordan will have the discretion to decide if that means a wristband or stamp or something else.
The ordinance, which the council left on its first reading and will take up again Sept. 3, establishes a boundary and rules for an entertainment district as defined by a new state law. The district would cover most of downtown, but walking around outside with a drink would be tied to an approved event.
The street on which the event takes place would have to be closed. Drinkers could only take reusable or compostable cups no larger than 16 ounces outside, and full cups couldn't be taken from one bar to another or outside the district. The mayor will review all applications for events wanting outside drinking.
Council Member Matthew Petty said he was worried the city hasn't been involving downtown businesses and employees enough in the conversation about the proposal.
"Wristbands might be well and fine, but we haven't even asked," he said.
Taylor Shelton, representing the Chamber of Commerce, said creating the district would add to the idea of placemaking, which attracts top-level talent to a city.
"We're looking forward to having more of these types of opportunities for recent graduates, students and visitors from all walks of life to come and enjoy these special events," he said.
In other business, the council left on its first reading a rezoning request for about 10 acres east of Sain and Front streets, near the Fulbright Expressway on the north side of town. The land is split between two zoning districts. The northern portion is zoned for heavy commercial use. The southern portion is zoned as industrial.
The proposal would change both designations to a community services district. A community services zone allows a variety of residential and commercial uses, such as single family up to quadplexes, and eating places to neighborhood shopping. Uses allowed under the current zoning, such as adult entertainment or manufacturing, wouldn't be allowed with the change.
Council members said they had received several email from constituents. Most resident concerns stemmed from an adjacent property east of the request that's zoned for residential multifamily up to 24 units. A representative of the applicant, Lindsey & Associates, said the land also was under contract, but not part of the rezoning request.
A proposal to change some parking designations downtown was tabled until Sept. 17. Four residents expressed concerns about losing residential spaces on or near West Lafayette Street to students or other paying customers. The proposal would open those spaces to the public, although residential permit holders could also park there.
Council members asked for more information on the hours during which the spaces are used and to have a public meeting on the proposal.
The council also left a separate proposal to make parking along Ila Street residential only on its first reading. About a dozen members of the public spoke, most of whom said students take up most of the spots, leaving few if any for the homes on the street. Council members will tour the neighborhood Monday.
NW News on 08/21/2019