Two microapartments developments, with individual housing units averaging about 250 to 350 square feet, have been approved for nearly $2.5 million of Land Use Incentive Grant funding. The developments have sparked debate among city officials and residents over whether microhousing is truly a solution to the affordable housing crisis.
Development Roundup: Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss new 279-unit development
City of Asheville The public will be able to provide input on two zoning map amendments at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, which will be in person at City Hall’s first-floor North Conference Room at 70 Court Plaza. A meeting of the same body to review the agenda, […]
Commissioners to hear update on Ferry Road development study
A year and a half ago, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved a nearly $221,000 contract with the UNC School of Government’s Development Finance Initiative for an affordable housing development study. On Tuesday, Oct. 3, commissioners will receive an update on the development plan.
Former Asheville Water director: ‘Incontrovertible evidence’ that shuttered pump station was key to water outage
Mike Holcombe, water director from 1993-97, remains adamant that the city is downplaying what he says is the major cause — the decommissioned East Asheville Booster Pump Station.
The city’s new urban forester has big plans for Asheville’s tree canopy
“People just don’t know what they can or cannot do,” says Keith Aitken, the city’s new urban forester. “We want to create a document or education program for people who move into steep slopes because I want people to come to me when they have a tree removal rather than doing it under the radar.”
Council approves Project Aspire despite concerns
Project Aspire, a vast mixed-use, mixed-income development set to reshape the city’s skyline, received the green light from the Asheville City Council at its Sept. 27 meeting. After nearly two hours of public comments featuring 37 speakers and discussions between council members and the developer, the council approved the rezoning for the project with a 5-2 vote, with council members Antanette Mosley and Kim Roney opposed.
City Council likely to approve 2024 referendum
As work wraps up from $74 million in bonds that voters approved in 2016, the Asheville City Council is considering putting another slate of bonds before voters next year. While no specific dates have been mentioned, it is anticipated that the proposed 2024 bonds will come before council for approval sometime this fall.
Council to vote on Pack Square Vision Plan
After months of planning and community engagement forums, Asheville City Council is set to vote on the renovation plans for Pack Square Plaza at its Tuesday, Sept. 26 meeting. The plan has 10 main areas of focus, including creating new spaces for civic engagement and expression, repositioning the elevated lawn and redesigning South Market Street as an active cultural corridor to The Block.
Coalition urges county to push for plastic bag ban despite pending state restrictions
“It’s a cynical and shameful ploy to deny you the ability to serve your constituents. It’s anti-democratic, and I look forward to working together with you to reject this encroachment on our rights to protect our health and the health of our mountains, rivers and streams,” Karim Olaechea, deputy director of strategy and communications for MountainTrue told commissioners during public comment.
Groups scramble to help residents meet new voter ID requirement
The N.C. Supreme Court ruled recently that Senate Bill 824, a voter ID law originally passed in 2018 by the Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly, is constitutional, meaning photo identification will be required for the upcoming municipal elections in Woodfin and Weaverville
BCTDA annual meeting hosts speaker on economy’s future
Despite a 30-minute evacuation due to smoke from caterers, the annual meeting of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority Sept. 19 was deemed a huge success, with more than 350 business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders in attendance.
Buncombe to consider federal funding for Mountain Mobility
If the application is approved at a future meeting, Buncombe hopes to get $1.6 million in federal funds allocated for rural transportation projects for Mountain Mobility, a community transportation service that primarily serves people with disabilities and older adults in Buncombe County.
Council votes to delay approval for Aspire development
The City Council voted unanimously Sept. 12 to postpone approval of a massive development near the downtown YMCA because of concerns over the project’s scope and impact on the surrounding community.
Development Roundup: Planning and Zoning Commission to discuss Pack Square plan
The Planning and Zoning Commission will review a request from Durham-based civil engineering firm McAdams Co. to adopt the vision plan for the Pack Square Revitalization Project that was released to the public July 21.
Council to vote on funding for more beds for homeless shelters
Asheville City Council will vote on funding to support 43 new high-access shelter beds to aid the homelessness crisis. If approved, the city would enter an interlocal agreement with Buncombe County, with each of the two municipalities allocating $875,000 of their ARPA funding to support the initiative.
County pursues more beds for homeless shelters
Three Buncombe County shelters likely will add 43 beds for the area’s homeless population after the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved its half of the funding request at its Sept. 5 meeting.
Asheville City Council to hold closed session on City Manager Debra Campbell’s future employment
A low-key manager known for being reluctant to work in the spotlight, Campbell has maintained a low profile despite some very high-profile, controversial and sometimes contentious issues in the city.
Buncombe to allocate COVID relief funds for more beds for homeless
As part of an interlocal agreement, the City of Asheville will administer $875,000 in county funds, as well as an equal city match, to three area shelter providers for extra beds.
After winter water crisis, Asheville to hire multiple new employees
In a presentation to Asheville City Council last week, David Melton, director of the Water Resources Department, said the five new positions for the “valve team” will allow the department to take a more active role on maintaining and checking valves.
Panhandling ordinance amendments pass first Council vote
City Council approved two technical amendments to Asheville’s panhandling ordinance at its Aug. 22 meeting. It passed 6-1, with Council member Kim Roney as the single opposing vote.
Traffic investigators could help alleviate APD staffing woes
House Bill 140 allows the city of Asheville to train and recruit civilians to respond to minor traffic accidents.