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.
Tag: Buncombe County
Showing 22-42 of 1007 results
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.
Buncombe sets goals for state lobbyists
Buncombe first hired Ward and Smith last May, agreeing to pay the firm $72,000 annually to advocate for the county’s interests at the state legislature. A Jan. 30 gathering at the DoubleTree hotel in Biltmore Village marked the first extended public discussion of the lobbyists’ work since that contract was inked.
Development roundup: Northridge Farms proposes 577 units for Weaverville
The proposed development on 88.12 acres would include 118 single-family homes, 163 townhomes or casitas and 296 multifamily apartments across 11 buildings. The single-family homes would be for sale; all other units would be rented out.
Council to consider reparations commission audit request Jan. 24
The reparations commission unanimously approved a recommendation for the city of Asheville and Buncombe County to “stop further harm” to the Black community by “ceasing the repetition of institutional processes that lead to racially disparate outcomes.” The audit is meant to ensure that such harms have actually ceased and that local governments are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Letter: Where is help for people with disabilities?
“They waste money instead of building sidewalks on every state and city road.”