Maintaining trails in Western North Carolina’s mountain forests poses tough choices between recreation and sustainability.
Local governments take different approaches to address staffing woes
Xpress took a look at the hardest-hit departments at the city of Asheville and Buncombe County to learn how job openings might be impacting residents and what governments are doing to hire staff amid nationwide recruitment challenges.
Local historians reflect on the Vance Monument, one year after its removal
While some historians were already telling fuller stories before the monument’s removal, others have been inspired by its absence.
From CPP: Elk and other large species in NC mountains constrained by changing habitats, human activity
Climate change and extreme weather events disrupt habitat areas and food sources in NC mountain forests, while human infrastructure blocks natural migration paths and creates dangers near roadways for large animal species.
Merrimon ‘road diet’ to move forward after Council approval
The plan would reduce the section of the avenue between Midland Road and W.T. Weaver Boulevard from its current four-lane, two-way configuration to one lane in each direction, along with a center turn lane and bicycle lanes.
Five takeaways from Buncombe’s 2022 primaries
The Buncombe County Board of Elections won’t officially certify the results until Friday, May 27, and the N.C. Board of Elections will issue its own certification Thursday, June 9. But even with those steps still to come, there’s plenty to learn from the unofficial results.
A closer look at WNC’s unaffiliated voters
North Carolina voters can register with one of three political parties — Republican, Democratic and Libertarian — or as unaffiliated. The last has become an increasingly popular option, both in WNC and across the state.
Council to consider rezoning for Patton Avenue Ingles
During their meeting of Tuesday, May 24, members of Asheville City Council will consider a conditional zoning request that would allow Ingles Markets to construct a grocery store, gas station and other retail space on the 14.45-acre site of a former Kmart.
From CPP: Whipsawed by erratic weather, mountain forest ecosystems under stress
Researchers seek to understand risks climate change poses for the Blue Ridge woodlands of Western North Carolina while many residents experience the disruption of extreme weather.
Buncombe approves $17 minimum wage for county staff
The move comes after a two-year long examination of employee compensation across 16 other government agencies comparable to Buncombe County.
Development glossary
When lawyers, planners and elected officials get into the weeds of jargon and legal minutiae, it can seem like they’re no longer speaking English. Here’s a list of some of the most commonly encountered — and commonly confused — terms that come up in development discussions.
How to request development records
Development projects leave obvious marks on the world around them. But every building that goes up in Western North Carolina also leaves a paper trail in local government archives that, as public property, residents have the legal right to inspect.
High-level land-use discussions shape neighborhood decisions
Deciding what gets built on an empty lot down the street should, according to state law, begin with decisions about what gets built across an entire city or county. Counties and municipalities that want to have zoning in their jurisdiction first need to write a comprehensive plan that looks at big questions like which areas are best for growth.
‘Quasi-judicial’ procedures govern some development
People who go to a meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment might not realize the bland room where the board gathers is a first cousin to a court of law. Learn more about how quasi-judicial bodies work to govern development in North Carolina.
Who handles development in municipalities beyond Asheville?
While Asheville city and Buncombe County leaders govern the bulk of local development, other municipalities set zoning rules and approve projects within their own borders. Here’s the key information about when and where those decisions are made, as well as how you can weigh in.
Buncombe County development boards
Buncombe County is a relative newcomer to land use regulation, and many outlying areas still remain under open use zoning. For parts of the county where development is more regulated, these three boards have the greatest say.
Buncombe County development process
Learn more about the different types of development review in Buncombe County and the government boards responsible for each.
City of Asheville development boards
Three governmental bodies are critical to the fate of large-scale development in the city: Asheville City Council, the Design Review Committee and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Find out more about what each group does and how to weigh in on its decisions.
City of Asheville development process
Learn more about the different types of development projects in the city of Asheville and how local government reviews each of them.
How to keep abreast of proposed development projects
Both Asheville and Buncombe County offer a number of tools to help residents avoid getting caught off guard by development. The following resources give early notification of development proposals and provide more information about each project’s movement through the overall approval process.
How to participate effectively in land-use decisions
The following guidelines are best practices for getting public officials to tune you in if you are involved in a development issue. Each piece of advice is based on interviews with people who used to turn thumbs up — or thumbs down — on development projects and others with experience in the field.