With rising rents and a growing population, local leaders are using every tool they have to encourage more affordable developments, including the City of Asheville Land’s Use Incentive Grant program. City Council members say the program designed to encourage developers to offer affordable housing is good in theory, but in practice it might be shutting out minority families, perpetuating decades of racial discrimination in housing.
Asheville City Council postponed a vote on the installation of a prefabricated 24-hour restroom outside of the Rankin Avenue parking garage at its Jan. 23 meeting over concerns regarding the project’s cost and maintenance. Council previously voted to allocate $650,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the new facility in May 2022.
“We need to send a message to our national leaders through a city cease-fire resolution by the next meeting.”
At its Tuesday, Jan. 23 meeting, Asheville City Council is slated to vote on the installation of a prefabricated 24-hour restroom outside of the Rankin Avenue parking garage. Council previously voted to allocate $650,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds for the project in May 2022.
Asheville City Council approved a zoning amendment to allow a drive-thru Starbucks on the corner of Brevard Road and South Bear Creek Road at its Jan. 9 meeting. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the amendment at its Dec. 6 meeting.
At its Tuesday, Jan. 9 meeting, Asheville City Council is slated to consider a proposed zoning map amendment that would allow for the development of a Starbucks on the corner of Brevard Road and South Bear Creek Road. The amendment was previously discussed during the Dec. 6 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, where it was unanimously supported.
“If you are weary of the high taxes, roads filled with potholes, cracked or absent sidewalks, having a skeleton police force and subpar schools, I hope you will be inspired to run for City Council.”
Asheville City Council voted unanimously Nov. 14 to postpone a vote on a proposed 279-unit apartment complex in Arden over concerns around a shortage of family-sized units and lack of renewable energy. The project was unable to get a formal recommendation to Council from the Planning and Zoning Commission at its Oct. 4 meeting; however, the developer asked to continue with the zoning approval process.
“I would give more weight to people who have invested sweat, money and time into enterprises that, should they fail, would mean disaster to them, their families and their employees.”
The complex is proposed for 2 Butler Road in Arden and is set to include five separate residential buildings. Four would include 45 units each, alongside a central building with an additional 99 units, according to planning documents.
“We can’t fight crime without a strong police force. That should be Council’s No. 1 priority. “
The new amenity, which will be located at the intersection of Rankin Avenue and College Street, aims to offer residents, visitors and the unhoused a safe, clean place to go when nature calls.
Asheville City Council at its Oct. 24 meeting unanimously approved a zoning change required to upgrade McCormick Field. The modifications to the site’s zoning requirements at 30 Buchanan Place include allowances for the project to exceed height restrictions and bypass parking space requirements.
“What we as citizens can do now to minimize the number of plastic bags that end up in the landfill is to deposit our plastic bags at various stores that provide bins for this purpose.”
“Someone’s making money off of this deal, and it does nothing for our vulnerable populations needing affordable housing. Nothing.”
The plan aims to channel the growth and development of the area, located south of the downtown core and its surrounding neighborhoods, including South French Broad, East End Valley Street and Oakhurst.
After nearly two hours of public comments and somewhat fervent discussions between council members, the council approved the College Patton Complete Streets project, 4-3, with council members Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith and Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore opposed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
