The following is an aggregate of Senior Reporter David Forbes’ live Twitter-based coverage of this morning’s meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners. You can follow Forbes on Twitter @DavidForbes:
7:29 AM CIBO gathered to hear details about proposed changes to county hillside development, city development ordinances #avlnews
7:31 AM Woodfin Mayor Jerry VeHaun and City Council member Esther Manheimer in attendance #avlnews
7:34 AM Asst County Mgr John Creighton on Hillside development, noting that in some areas staff didn’t agree w planning board #avlnews
7:35 AM Creighton: Staff wanted to set tighter limits on impermeable surface, infrastructure, % of area that could be developed #avlnews
7:38 AM Creighton: “Lot sizes are going to get bigger” on hillsides, geotech engineers involved earlier in process #avlnews
7:41 AM Creighton: new rules “don’t just allow a developer to cut a gash up the mountain” #avlnews
7:48 AM Debbie Truempy, county planner: No development of subdivisions on slopes over 50%, certain % of open space required #avlnews
7:49 AM Truempy: But if developers build in environmentally friendly ways, do get density rules relaxed #avlnews
7:57 AM Truempy: Ideally want developers to leave mature trees, incentives for that in ordinance #avlnews
7:59 AM Creighton in response to audience question: Since original ordinance, county has approved 8,500 lots in slope areas #avlnews
7:59 AM Creighton in response to audience question: Since original ordinance, county has approved 8,500 lots in slope areas #avlnews
8:01 AM One audience member: “Should call [changed ordinance] a stimulus package for engineers” #avlnews
8:02 AM Audience member questioned Creighton on disagreement w planning board, responds that they and staff agree on most changes #avlnews
8:06 AM Changes will come to commissioners Oct. 19 #avlnews
8:09 AM Creighton: There are subdivision projects from ‘30s still on the books as approved, but never built #avlnews
8:10 AM Shannon Tuch now speaking on city’s proposed density bonus ordinance for sustainable/affordable housing #avlnews
8:15 AM Tuch: Most public comments concerned about lack of Council hearings on afford development #avlnews
8:16 AM Tuch: “No way to overcome that” streAM lined process a key incentive #avlnews
8:17 AM Tuch: ordinance has been scaled back, incentives only apply to multi-fAM ily, commercial areas 1/8 mile from high-frequency transit #avlnews
8:19 AM Tuch, responding to ?: Affordable formula “elaborate,” depends on individuals income #avlnews
8:20 AM Dwight Butner: “Inherent contradiction between green building, affordable housing. How do you reconcile that?” #avlnews
8:21 AM Tuch: Rules give bonus for affordable housing or green building, though both certainly welcome #avlnews
8:22 AM Tuch: Rules give bonus for affordable housing or green building, though both certainly welcome, gets higher bonus #avlnews
8:23 AM CIBO member on I-26: “We got the shank… They studied this to death. Write some letters; this will affect your bottom line” #avlnews
8:24 AM He says economy would be “booming” if I-26 interchange was built. “Interstate what train tracks used to be” #avlnews
8:26 AM Avl planning board mem Buzzy Cannady: “I can’t believe this,” CIBO needs to go to local politicians, governor on I-26 #avlnews
8:27 AM CIBO member speaking on I-26 was Mac Swicegood #avlnews
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