“Our Swannanoa Library is a place where our children and many other children have discovered the joy of learning.”
Tag: Buncombe County
Showing 1-21 of 990 results
Letter: No more rules needed on short-term rentals
“There are already zoning regulations in place, and further regulation of owners’ property rights in regard to STRs is not needed.”
Short-term rental listening session yields conflicting views
The proposed regulations would ban future short-term rentals, both whole-house and rentals within the owner’s primary residence, in unincorporated parts of Buncombe County unless they were located within commercial zones or in an open-use district, among other changes. Existing short-term rentals would not be impacted by the changes.
Buncombe County’s first homeless-program manager discusses goals, misconceptions
Lacy Hoyle spoke about the local priorities for addressing homelessness, how she incorporates the views of those who have different beliefs than she does about its causes and misconceptions about the homeless population.
Civics 101: How to get involved in local government
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to learn more about local government and how you can help steer the ship, both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County applaud, encourage and welcome your interest.
Fiber internet coming to Buncombe County’s rural communities
High-speed fiber internet is on its way to several rural communities in Buncombe County, thanks to a $3.3 million state grant. Nearly 1,000 households will receive fiber internet service over the next two years, according to Buncombe County Director of Economic Development Tim Love.
Reparations commission releases initial recommendations
After 18 months of meetings and nearly $500,000 spent, Asheville’s reparations commission — tasked with making recommendations for restitution for generations of racial injustice — has now lost its second project manager in a year. Additionally, the commission is asking for more time to draft its final recommendations.
Buncombe County must protect our communities from plastic pollution
“On balance, our ordinance would significantly reduce the amount of pollution, waste and greenhouse gases created to help county residents carry their groceries out of the store.”
Letter: Looking for local election news amid the clutter
“Every four years at this time, I get very aggravated by the tendency of next year’s hopeless presidential elections to displace and suppress coverage of this year’s local elections, in which some hope remains.”
Residential composting programs heat up across Buncombe County
The popularity of composting is growing in Buncombe County, and government-sponsored food-scrap collection programs are helping some residents divert food waste from landfills.
Letter: War and peace and Buncombe County
“And yes, there often are multiple causes of war, but that means the influence of defense contractors can’t be discounted, either.”
Top of the town: Conservancy may save Deaverview from development
The 342-acre tract atop Deaverview Mountain, just five miles from downtown Asheville, was purchased by an anonymous conservationist in March with the intention of selling the land to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. SAHC has three years to obtain federal and state grants to repay the buyer, then it plans to turn the property over to Buncombe County as a park or preserve.
Wellness roundup: Buncombe County reveals next steps for opioid settlements
According to the Opioid Settlement Strategic Planning Report, goals for fiscal years 2024-26 include reductions in overdose-related visits to area ERs, the jail population incarcerated for substance use-related charges and the number of behavioral health-related EMS dispatches.
Letter: We need a countywide tree ordinance
“I would like to see a new tree ordinance adopted countywide that increases the number of trees to be planted on property that is being developed.”
Is Western North Carolina ready for coming EV surge?
Electric vehicles are popular in Buncombe County, a trend that will continue for years to come. As more drivers enter the world of EVs, doe the area have enough places for people to charge?
Letter: Save our libraries — again
“Buncombe commissioners have so little regard for libraries and librarians that it’s OK to make our woefully underfunded system worse for both patrons and staff.”
Letter: Keep government’s hands out of short-term rentals
“I am concerned with the ‘power’ that the government would have to ‘regulate’ Airbnbs.”
Letter: No real need for more surveillance
“It would be an open invitation to violate people’s First, Fourth and 14th amendment rights.”
County properties identified for affordable housing
Nearly 480 affordable housing units could be built on property owned by Buncombe County, according to a new analysis shared with the county Board of Commissioners.
Buncombe considers preemptive zoning for crypto mines
The county has not received any applications for cryptocurrency mines, according to a staff presentation provided ahead of a briefing scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21. But commissioners are expected to weigh in on whether county zoning should be updated in anticipation of future development requests.
Report: Buncombe homelessness can be halved in 2 years
Much of the presentation focused on the shortcomings of how local governments and service providers currently collaborate to address homelessness.