Kyle Smith for Fayetteville City Council, Ward 4 ← Back to the platform

Policy Papers

The details matter... The platform is the short version. These papers are where I work out how an idea would actually change our code, and who ends up paying for it. I'm a process nerd, so expect more of them. Have a question, an idea, or think of something I missed? Let me know.

07

Sustainability & Green Space

Activating the Enduring Green Network

A market-driven strategy for urban nature preservation and smart density

City Plan 2040 maps an Enduring Green Network of stream corridors, steep Ozark hillsides, and forests, but the map has no legal force. This proposal gives it a purpose through a voluntary Transfer of Development Rights program: developers pay EGN landowners to protect their land permanently, and in return build more homes in growth centers the city has already chosen. No tax dollars go to buying land.

Key proposals

  • EGN land becomes a voluntary “sending zone,” with more credits per acre for high-value land such as steep forest and headwater wetlands.
  • Growth centers become “receiving zones” where credits unlock extra height, reduced parking minimums, or missing-middle housing.
  • An EGN escrow fund and annual reverse auction serve as a backup market, and a 5% stewardship fee pays for long-term land care.
Read the full paper (PDF)

Strengthening Tree Preservation Standards

Encouraging efficient land use and growing a healthier urban forest

Updates to the tree rules in Fayetteville’s Unified Development Code, with a focus on making sure required trees actually survive. Yard tree requirements scale with lot size, large existing trees get new protections, and missing-middle housing stays practical to build.

Key proposals

  • Require enough uncompacted soil for trees to establish roots, not just packing them in red clay and hoping for the best.
  • Scale yard tree requirements to lot size, with credits for preserving large, healthy trees.
  • Extend survival bonds to 5 years with a 24-month interim inspection, funded by a dedicated inspection fee.
  • Protect mature trees on existing lots through a 7-day notice period, preservation grants, and professional support for homeowners.
Read the full paper (PDF)