Panel backs closing alley for UA student housing

FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayetteville Planning Commission recommended making room for a student housing complex planned near Center Street and West Avenue by vacating an alley right of way on Monday.

Commissioners voted 7-2 to vacate the public right of way for the Gregg Avenue alley between a quonset hut to the east and the building with Trailside Yoga to the west. A student housing complex with more than 500 beds is planned for the area, according to plans presented to the commission. The Razorback Greenway lies east of the quonset hut.

A letter to the commission from attorney Suzanne Clark says Trinitas Ventures plans to develop the two properties on both sides of the alley. The site contains the quonset hut with the AM/PM bar and other businesses, Trailside Yoga, the former B Unlimited building and other commercial buildings.

Clark, and Todd Wendell with Trinitas, presented the request to the commission. Slides showed a complex with seven stories on the west side and six stories on the east side. The complex would have 191 units and 572 beds. It would have a parking garage inside it, with bicycle and scooter storage, lounge rooms, a study and co-working space, fitness center and rooftop pool.

“Given this project’s location relative to campus and relative to Dickson Street, we think it is the ideal location for housing,” Wendell said.

Commissioners debated whether the public would need the right of way once the cultural arts corridor, known as the Ramble, is completed. They voted 6-3 to amend the proposal to shift the right of way from the Gregg Avenue alley to the north and west sides of the property, which would make it possible for Meadow Street to connect from the northern side and run along the west side to Center Street.

The City Council will have the final vote on the right of way.

In other business, the comission voted 9-0 to:

■ Rezone a single building at Mount Sequoyah for use as a coffee shop or cafe. The site is currently zoned for institutional use, which does not allow a commercial coffee shop. The City Council will have the final vote on the rezoning.

■ Deny a short-term rental application from Dre Greenlaw, former Arkansas Razorback football player and current linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers. The home is located in a subdivision on the southeast edge of town. An attorney for Greenlaw said the intention was to have people occupying the home while Greenlaw is out of town. Commissioners said they denied the request because the rental was still listed online without a permit, and that neighbors had complained to police about a party that happened there in July.