Asheville City Council report: Kenilworth/Caledonia rezoning fails

On May 10, Asheville City Council members took the following actions:

• Did not approve rezoning requests that would have blocked high-density development for Kenilworth property involved in the proposed Caledonia Apartment project. A motion to adopt a stricter, less dense zoning classification for the lower, steep part of the property failed on a 3-3 vote, and a motion to similarly rezone the Kenilworth Inn failed on a 4-2 vote (a super-majority was required). Council member Jan Davis opposed both motions, saying that such a move, in the middle of a controversy (the Caledonia project was denied a few months ago, and is currently involved in a legal dispute with the city and neighborhood), amounts to “changing the rules in the middle of the game.” Council member Bill Russell also opposed both rezonings, while Mayor Terry Bellamy joined the two in opposing the slope rezoning.

• Voted 5-2 to adopt living-wage requirements for contracts valued between $30,000 and $90,000. Russell and Davis opposed.

• By a 6-1 vote, passed a recycling-fee increase (Mayor Terry Bellamy opposed).

• Accepted a WNC Veteran’s memorial donation, along with a trust that funds longterm maintenance.

• Set aside $45,000 as the city’s contribution to a sports commission charged with bringing events like the Southern Conference tournament to the area. Other partners in the commission include Buncombe County and the Tourism Development Authority.

• Approved a rezoning request for the Crowne Plaza in West Asheville. The request relates to the hotel’s expanded sports center, which will increase parking and add zip lines.