Here’s a list of highlights from the May 1 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. We’ll have a full report in the May 9 issue of Xpress.
• The board approved a request from property owner H.P. Patel to rezone a 1.78 acre parcel from R–2 (Residential District) to CS (Commercial Service District). The property is located in Oteen at 1501 Tunnel Road, east of the intersection of Porters Cove Intersection and Tunnel Road. The tract is currently vacant. The surrounding area is comprised of residential development and commercial development. It adjoins the City of Asheville’s Highway Business zoning district, according to a report by the Buncombe County Department of Planning and Development. Patel is considering a variety of commercial uses for the property, including a hotel. He currently owns the Days Inn that lies next door.
• The board approved a request from property owner Carol Holcombe to rezone approximately 1.04 acres from R-LD (Low-Density Residential District) to CS (Commercial Service District). The property is located in Fairview at the northwest corner of the intersection of Old Charlotte Highway and Charlotte Highway, adjacent to the Southcliff development. The tract is currently being used as a commercial plant nursery, according to a report by the Department of Planning and Development. Plans for the land include a possible new coffee shop.
• Commissioners heard a report on the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s secondary roads construction program. The department is planning to spend nearly $2.2 million on improvements to various roads in Buncombe County, according to the report. The largest single project is planned for a 10 mile stretch of Old Fort and Chestnut Hill roads in Fairview, which are scheduled to get $210,000 worth of shoulder widening, drainage upgrades and sight distance improvements. During a public hearing on the matter, Jupiter resident Don Yelton urged officials to also consider improvements to Jupiter Road, which he sad was “in bad shape.”
• Commissioners presented Buncombe Environmental Leadership Awards to Bill Eaker of the Land of Sky Regional Council, and a group of partners that included the Blue Ridge Sustainability Institute, Asheville Independent Restaurant Association and 17 locally owned restaurants.
• The board unanimously passed a resolution that empowers staff to negotiate financial contracts for several capital projects that they already approved.
• The board unanimously approved refunding $740 in overpaid excise tax to George Morosani.
• The board witnessed Sheriff Van Duncan present several of his deputies with Medals of Honor for outstanding service to the community.
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