Mountain Xpress, with support from the American Press Institute, is excited to offer this online version of the Development Guide — your companion to local government land-use planning.

As Western North Carolina continues to grow, decisions on how to use land and manage development are more important than ever. This guide offers comprehensive details about how to keep abreast of development decisions in Asheville and Buncombe County, as well as advice on participating in municipal government that applies everywhere in WNC.

Read the guide online at this link or download a PDF version below. If you’d like a print version, the guide is inserted in our Feb. 16 issue, and Xpress is partnering with the city of Asheville and Buncombe County to distribute the guide at libraries and government offices over the coming year. We hope that by making this information clear and accessible, we will better empower residents to shape the future of the places they hold dear.

The current version of the guide was informed by feedback from over 250 readers, who participated in several online focus groups and an online survey last year. As we consider how to make improvements for its next edition, we’d love to hear from you about what you’re finding most useful and what missing info you’d like to see.

Share your thoughts with News Editor Daniel Walton at DWalton@MountainX.com or 828-251-1333 ext. 138. Thanks so much for reading.

Download the guide here: