Buncombe County Commissioners preview: Paving the way for more asphalt plants?

At its April 19 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider a zoning ordinance that could allow more asphalt plants to be built in the area. The proposed ordinance would let such plants to be located in employment zoning districts. Asphalt plants are already allowed in open-use districts.

The proposal includes a number of safeguard, such as locating asphalt plants at least 2,640 feet from hospitals, schools and parks; maintaining “buffer strips” along property lines; and having “sufficient access to a major highway so as to minimize truck travel through residential neighborhoods.”

County staff and Buncombe’s planning board recommend approving the changes. Board Chair David Gantt says that he’s waiting until after the April 19 meeting’s public comment session to decide on the measure, although he’s expressed concerns that some of the conditional use standards might be too vague.

The meeting will also include a report by the Animal Coalition of Buncombe County on the “State of Animal Homelessness.” The coalition works to save the lives of homeless animals by transferring them from the Buncombe County Animal Shelter to private nonprofit agencies and homes. According to their new study, the area has seen a 28 percent decline in the numbers of animals taken to the county shelter since 2000. They credit partner organizations’ adoption efforts as well as the county and city’s strict spay/neuter ordinances for the improvement.

In addition, the board will consider several requests to fund conservation easements.

The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, in the commissioner’s chambers, located at 30 Valley St. 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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