Tie vote not enough for Parkside

Posted on by Brian Postelle

A vote by Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission on the Parkside condominium development ended in a 3-3 tie — not the majority needed to recommend the project for approval by City Council.

The seven-member board was one person short at the April 2 meeting, with chairman Steve Sizemore absent. But even with six commissioners present, a vote to approve the project required a majority four votes.

Of the nearly 80 people who came to the meeting, about 20 spoke during the public hearing — the vast majority of whom were against the 11-story building that would sit on a corner of Pack Square adjacent to City Hall. Speakers opposing the project included Pack Square Conservancy Board chair Carol King, Mt. Zion Baptist Church Pastor John Grant and former Asheville Mayor Leni Sitnick.

Developer Stewart Coleman can still ask for approval by Asheville City Council without a green light from P&Z, or go back to the drawing board and submit a new plan to the Technical Review Committee.

— Brian Postelle, staff writer

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3 thoughts on “Tie vote not enough for Parkside”

  1. lokel

    What are these commissioners placed on the board for to call in sick?

    If board members can not be present at votes as important as this one then they should be replaced by someone who can make it to every meeting.

    Why does an individual want to be on the board if he is not attending each meeting.

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