I would like to express my support for the proposed rezoning and development of homes at the 767 New Haw Creek Road property.
This property is within the city limits. Building homes there would decrease sprawl into more environmentally sensitive areas of Buncombe County. The new homes would allow dozens of middle-class families to live near jobs, schools and amenities, decreasing their carbon footprint by not having to drive to town from farther away.
There aren’t enough workers in Asheville to fill the jobs that our local businesses are hiring for, and potential new workers are even turning down job offers because they can’t find a home they can afford. If housing is a human right, then we must build more homes to make it affordable for new workers to live in Asheville and continue to grow our economy.
Asheville’s recent Missing Middle Housing study found that we need to allow more homes to be built on smaller lots if we are to meet the current and future housing needs of our city. Rezoning to allow for more homes, including townhomes, responds to this need.
Though I would ask the developer to show more creativity and character in the proposed development plan, I encourage the city to approve this rezoning request. I look forward to welcoming new families to Haw Creek, just as my family has been welcomed.
— James Shelton
Asheville
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.