Push for more restrictiv­e noise rules goes to Council committee today

A push for more restrictive noise rules throughout the city is making its way to Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee this afternoon, March 26. One proposal, from a member of the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods, seeks changes to Asheville’s rules, such as designating singing, musical instruments and “noisy parties” after 10 p.m. as potential nuisances.

Downtown doesn’t need another hotel

Right now, Asheville city officials have on the table two bids to purchase the city-owned property on Haywood Street across from the Basilica of St. Lawrence. One bid is from McKibbon Hotel Group who wants to build a hotel at that site. The other bid is from the Catholic Church (Diocese of Charlotte) which hopes […]

Anti-corporate and proud of it

Asheville City Council has adopted a measure denouncing corporate personhood and unlimited political campaign expenditures. Good for them. Despite being wholly symbolic, this adds Asheville to the growing list of cities and municipalities that have come to recognize the obvious. I support what Move to Amend is doing and participate in the Occupy movement. In […]

City may support tree-cutting lawsuit; approves Lenoir-Rhyne campus

The city of Asheville, at the Sierra Club’s request, may file an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit against new state rules that allow clear-cutting around billboards. Asheville City Council also approved a rezoning necessary for a Lenoir-Rhyne University satellite campus in the chamber of commerce building. Photo of future campus site by Max Cooper.

City will bring forward hotel offer on Haywood St. properties in March

The city of Asheville will examine an offer from McKibbon hotel group for property near the Basilica of St. Lawrence, city staff said at a meeting of City Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee today, and bring forward more information in March. However, Council members are far from set on the hotel plans: one called the city’s approach “testing the waters.” Photo by Bill Rhodes.

Green downtown Asheville

It has come to my attention that the McKibben Group is interested in purchasing several city-owned pieces of property around the Basilica of St. Lawrence in order to construct a high-rise hotel. The church itself has offered to purchase the property in order to avoid this construction, which is preferable to the alternative, but perhaps […]

Council gives Occupy Asheville camp Feb. 17 deadline, supports keeping water system

In a Valentine’s Day meeting, Asheville City Council voted to evict the Occupy Asheville encampment in front of City Hall, one of the last remaining in the country, on Feb. 17. Council also unanimously backed a resolution supporting the city retaining control of the water system in the face of a state study. (Photo by Bill Rhodes)

Asheville City Council preview: the Valentine’­s Day edition

Instead of candlelight dinners, the members of Asheville City Council (and any staff and members of the public who happen to be in attendance) at tonight’s meeting will spend a Valentine’s evening in City Hall. A resolution supporting the city’s control of the water system and ordinances ending the Occupy Asheville encampment top the agenda.

The Beat

The upcoming budget year, a raise for city employees and sending a lobbyist to Raleigh were key topics in the wide-ranging discussion at Asheville City Council's annual retreat. Held Feb. 3 in UNCA's Sherrill Center, this year’s session gave Council members a chance to hear briefings by staff and ponder goals for 2012. The budget: […]