The Transit Master Plan, developed with the help of an outside consultant, a long list of stake holders and a series of public-input sessions, was adopted by Asheville City Council at its Oct. 27 meeting. But implementation of the plan’s provisions will rely on budget work by city staff and Council’s consideration of the finer points. The TMP was supported in a 6-1 vote, with Council member Carl Mumpower voting “no.” Council will begin to hear budget options at its retreat in early January.
In other developments:
• Council also voted unanimously to continue bus service to Weaverville through the first week of November. The five daily bus trips between Asheville and Weaverville were scheduled to end on Nov. 1 after the announcement by the state Department of Transportation that it was pulling its funding for the route and the indication by Weaverville town leadership that it was letting the service expire. Council hopes the extra week — which comes at a cost to the city of $4,800 — will give other transit options time to fill the gap in service.
• The city of Asheville has agreed not to attempt annexation for any part of the township of Leicester for three years, contingent on the Woodfin Board of Aldermen making the same declaration. The agreement came up as part of an annexation discussion between Woodfin and Asheville. Leicester is currently attempting to incorporate.
• And neighbors of the former CTS site on Mills Gap Road approached Council to ask for help in pressuring the state for funding for the site’s cleanup and said they would be willing to discuss voluntary annexation into the city if it means they can get water lines extended to the residences there. Staff is planning to meet with residents to discuss options.
For extensive coverage of Asheville City Council’s Oct. 27 meeting, see the Nov. 4 issue of Xpress.
— Brian Postelle, staff writer
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