Buncombe Commissioners preview: African American heritage, zoning, Moogfest and more

From African American Heritage and land conservation to zoning and Moogfest, Buncombe Commissioners are planning to cover a lot of ground at their Feb. 4 meeting. Here’s a look at some of the agenda’s highlights:

• The board will consider working with the city to establish a joint African American Heritage Commission. A main goal of the new group would be to help promote local African American arts, history and culture.

• Commissioners will consider a new zoning category governing conference centers and resorts. The county Planning Department recommends the move to better “account for the unique needs of conference centers and resorts by providing flexibility while still ensuring the protection of surrounding residential properties,” according to a report.

• Commissioners will hear an update on Moogfest, which will reportedly make an estimated $30 million impact on the area this April 23-27.

• The board will hear an update from the Land Conservation Advisory Board on its ongoing efforts to preserve local land from development.

• The board will vote on whether to officially rename a park in the Royal Pines neighborhood “Collier Cove Nature Preserve” in honor of the lands former owners – Rober and RaeAnn Collier. The public property is located at 190 Rhododendron Road.

Note: The issue of whether to allow development of the Old Coggins Farm in Swannanoa will not be decided at this meeting, as had previously been reported in our Jan. 22 cover story. That issue will likely be decided at the Commissioners’ Feb.18 meeting.

The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 4, in the commissioner’s chambers, located at 200 College Street, suite 326. A short pre-meeting review of the agenda will begin at 4:15 p.m.

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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