Asheville City Council preview: of lofts and liberty

At Asheville City Council’s upcoming Oct. 22 meeting, two major items come up for a vote: a civil liberties resolution and the 209-unit proposed RAD Lofts project.

The civil liberties resolution is a longtime goal of Council member Cecil Bothwell, and he’s claimed that it has taken several years to make it to a vote because of the need for extensive legal review. The resolution declares that the city “wishes to play a leading role in the protection of civil liberties and to consistently promote tolerance and respect for all persons.” It specifically says that the city won’t collect informaiton on groups due to their beliefs and that local law enforcement won’t, in the absence of another criminal investigation, participate in the enforcement of federal immigration law.

The RAD Lofts are a proposed 209-unit project on Clingman Avenue, coming to Council for a vote on modifications to the normal rules to allow it to proceed. While larger than what’s normally allowed under city code and with no affordable housing units, staff have endorsed the project due to its density in an area they seek to attract more development to. The modifications would waive the normal limits on building size.

Asheville City Council meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, on the second floor of City Hall.

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