Asheville City Council: Two annexation­s begun

Some Buncombe County residents may soon be Asheville citizens: At its July 27 meeting, Asheville City Council approved beginning the process of two annexations — Coopers Hawk and Royal Pines. Council member Bill Russell voted against both annexations; Mayor Terry Bellamy joined him in voting against an annexation in the Royal Pines area, citing concerns about the size of the annexed area and about providing service. Mountain Xpress Senior News Reporter David Forbes reported on the meeting via the social-media outlet Twitter. Other discussions included incentives for a Montford development, handicapped parking downtown and domestic-partner benefits.

From beginning to sunset: Xpress coverage of the June 22 Asheville City Council session

As Asheville City Council started its June 22 meeting, Xpress reporter David Forbes provided live coverage, starting with this Tweet:

Live, from City Hall, it’s Asheville City Council!

More than four hours later (about average for the municipal body), he offered his last Tweet, snapped a photo of the sunset over downtown and signed off for the day, having covered several major actions by Council.

Grove Arcade can’t pay its debt to the city

The Grove Arcade is struggling to make payments on renovation debts to city, despite nearly $1 million received per year in rents, the city of Asheville’s Planning and Economic Development Committee learned today at its May 18 meeting. City Council member Jan Davis said that the city would, in his opinion, have to help the Arcade with its debt. The committee passed the decision on to City Council.