As the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners enters the final month of 2009, its agenda for Tuesday’s meeting appears simple: give zoning final approval; appoint vice chair; appoint some board members; go home.
Author: David Forbes
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Buncombe Commissioners: Zoning war winding down?
CTS cleanup controversy continues County sells Merrimon Avenue site for affordable housing complex Eight months ago, the N.C. Court of Appeals struck down Buncombe County's 2007 zoning ordinance on technical grounds, saying that the county hadn't properly notified the public and that the county Planning Board hadn't had sufficient time to consider the sweeping changes. […]
Former Asheville firefighter gets four months for cyclist shooting
Former Asheville firefighter Charles Alexander Diez will spend four months in jail for shooting at cyclist Alan Simons last July. Diez pleaded guilty Nov. 19 to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. On July 26, Simons was riding with his family on Tunnel Road. According to Asheville police, Diez had stopped to […]
Asheville City Council says goodbye to outgoing members, confronts budget woes
Here’s a Twitter-based summary of today’s City Council meeting.
Asheville City Council preview: Of master plans and development
Tomorrow is the last meeting of the current Asheville City Council, but among many other agenda items, they’ll begin discussion on one of the Downtown Master Plan‘s most controversial recommendations: reducing Council’s authority over large downtown development.
Former Asheville firefighter gets 4 months for shooting cyclist
Former Asheville firefighter Charles Alexander Diez will spend four months in prison for shooting cyclist Alan Simons in July. Diez plead guilty to assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill yesterday.
County will offer H1N1 vaccines tomorrow
The Buncombe County Health Department will offer the H1N1 flu mist vaccine to certain populations between the ages of 2 and 49 at seven schools around the county from 4 to 7 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 19).
Buncombe Commissioners brief: Nov. 17 meeting
After a tense public hearing that saw one person thrown out of the chambers, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners reinstated countywide zoning in a 4-1 vote.
"We’re not stopping"
It's been an eventful year at AB-Tech. Not long after Betty Young ended her brief and controversial tenure as president by announcing her resignation in March. Russ Yelton, who had founded the college's Global Institute for Sustainable Technology, left for unrelated reasons. GIST has been a key player in AB-Tech's efforts at encouraging sustainability both […]
The write-in rundown (aka "Who voted for Squirt the Wonder Clam?")
In the Nov. 3 municipal election, Asheville City Council member Robin Cape received 4,478 write-in votes, according to figures from Buncombe County Election Services. While Cape's bid for a second term was serious, many write-in voters were not. (Squirt the Wonder Clam, really?) Cape, who changed her mind and decided to run for a second […]
Buncombe Commissioners preview: Zoning cometh (again!)
Eight months after a court ruling struck down Buncombe County’s zoning ordinance, the Board of Commissioners is giving it another go, with a public hearing on the new zoning maps dominating the agenda at tomorrow’s meeting.
The write-in rundown
In last week’s election, Asheville City Council member Robin Cape received 4,478 write-in votes, according to figures from the Board of Elections. While Cape’s bid for a second term was serious, many of the other write-in votes were not (Squirt the Wonder Clam, really?).
Investigators: Hillcrest fire was arson
The fire that destroyed Building 21 in Hillcrest Apartments Monday was arson, according to the Asheville Fire Department. Investigators are compiling a list of suspects at this time, and continuing to pursue leads.
No treatment?
It's been a tough few years for mental-health providers across North Carolina, as attempts at reform have led to sharp budget cuts and left many clients struggling to find services. State officials have been trying to transform what they regard as a bulky, overly institutionalized system into one that is more flexible and can offer […]
Buncombe Commissioners: Concrete facts
Commissioners update flood ordinances, pass sustainability plan County lays out limits of authority over CTS cleanup, promises push state, federal officials It's been an eventful few years for Buncombe County on the legal front. The county has won battles with the city over water, but high-profile rulings on zoning and the sale of public parkland […]
Swannanoa incorporation defeated
For three years, Swannanoa had been caught in a sometimes-tumultuous debate over whether to incorporate as a town. Proponents of the move said residents would have better services and more control over their own destiny, while opponents asserted that it would bring higher taxes and regulations unsuited to an area that remains largely rural. On […]
Fire dept: natural gas caused Hillcrest fire
The explosion and fire that consumed a building in Hillcrest Apartments yesterday was caused by natural gas, Asheville Fire Chief Scott Burnette told Xpress today. Investigators have yet to determine if the blaze was an accident or arson.
Explosion, fire at Hillcrest Apartments UPDATE 12:44 P.M.: Fire may have been arson
A fire erupted today at Hillcrest Apartments, consuming building 21. According to officials, no one was seriously injured. The woman who lived in the first apartment to catch fire believes it was arson. Xpress reporter Jason Sandford was on the scene. You can read his account here.
Rutherfordton innovator gets $100,000 prize for connecting local farmers
Over the past few years, Tim Will, 61, of Rutherfordton, has worked to bring broadband to his county and connect local farmers with restaurants that need their produce. Now he's been recognized with a $100,000 Purpose Prize, a national award given to social innovators over 60 who are applying their skills to solving problems facing […]
Buncombe Commissioners preview: Floods and sustainability
While Ashevilleans are (hopefully) streaming to the polls on Nov. 3, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners plans to hold its regular meeting. It’s a relatively brief agenda, but changes to the flood ordinances and a sustainability plan for the county are both on the table.
The Battle for Swannanoa
In June, state Sen. Martin Nesbitt (D-Buncombe) had something to say to his colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee. "This is about the town of Swannanoa, and I know you don't want to know anything about it, but I'm going to tell you anyhow," he said, introducing legislation to put the General Assembly's stamp of […]