A housing complex planned to be built in Fayetteville is raising questions.
People living in the area argue that the developer shouldn’t be building there because it’s a wetland, and they question the involvement of a business linked to the mayor in the project. But the developer’s lawyer said their complaints don’t hold up.
A major reason why the 300 unit apartment complex that Cedar Creek Road LLC is trying to build is drawing scrutiny is because Mayor Mitch Colvin is part owner.
The lawyer for Cedar Creek Road LLC said the mayor disclosed his stake in the project from the outset as legally required.
“There is no ethical issue that will prohibit a member of city council, including the mayor from petitioning the city from having property rezoned which is exactly what was done here,” lawyer Jonathan Charleston said. “The application followed the prescribed process. All of the steps were taken appropriately. All of the boxes checked.”
He also said there aren’t any public funds going into the housing development, and that the mayor doesn’t have any say on whether the development gets approved by the city.