As residents cope with Asheville’s red-hot housing market and rising mortgage rates, some low- and moderate-income families are turning to local and national down payment assistance programs to overcome one of homebuying’s biggest barriers.
Tag: Buncombe County
Showing 64-84 of 996 results
Development roundup: South Slope Vision Plan up for review
The plan, to be considered by Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission July 6, contains ten key initiatives, including a gateway to reconnect McCormick Field and Memorial Stadium with downtown, public art installations, commemoration of the neighborhood’s African American history, affordable housing and transforming Coxe Avenue into a tree-lined “green Main Street.”
Buncombe commissioners tweak homeowner grant eligibility
Mobile-home owners can now receive the grants, while those who own multiple dwellings or receive other tax reductions will no longer be eligible. Those with “liquid resources” (cash or financial assets that could be converted to cash within a week) of more than $60,000 will also be disqualified, a change from the terms recommended by county staff.
From CPP: Objections to proposed plan for WNC national forests delay process
The U.S. Forest Service’s proposed land management plan for the Pisgah and Nantahala forests has drawn thousands of objections, leading to an extension of time to review concerns. The Forest Service chief now calls the plan revision process, which took more than a decade, unsustainable.
Letter: Minimum wage — always behind the times
“Minimum wages seem always to be behind the times re: what it actually costs for workers to experience an adequate quality of life.”
Letter: Rebuilding Jones Park Playground
“If the city can maintain a baseball field at an annual cost of $25,000, used almost exclusively by boys paying to play in organized sports leagues, I sincerely hope we can fund the maintenance of a rebuilt Jones Park Playground.”
From CPP: Why small NC mountain city is taking on nation’s largest hospital system
Brevard officials hope other Western North Carolina local governments will join the city’s lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices by HCA Healthcare. None have, but none say they have ruled it out.
Buncombe school staff urge commissioners to increase pay
“We still have to work other jobs to make ends meet,” said Melanie Allen, a 26-year veteran of BCS’ technology department. “We’re struggling. We feel like nobody cares. Morale is low. We have watched other counties and agencies enable steps and raises. We’re keep thinking we’re next, that we’ll be able to make it. Then nothing happens.”
From CPP: A good problem to have: Managing the ARPA windfall in a small NC county
Madison County’s ARPA manager says his job could wind down soon based on most uses of ARPA funds, but using them for broadband complicates things.
Buncombe’s Comprehensive Plan 2043 enters third phase
When complete, the document will be a nonbinding, advisory blueprint of where residents and county officials want the county to be in 2043 and will outline the goals, objectives and policies needed to achieve that vision.
Development roundup: Affordable housing complex proposed for Sweeten Creek Road
Fairhaven Summit Apartments would bring a 77-unit multifamily affordable housing complex to 7.68 acres off Sweeten Creek Road. All of the 12 one-bedroom units, 25 two-bedroom units and 40 three-bedroom units planned for the development would be guaranteed as affordable for households earning between 30% and 80% of the average median income for a minimum of 30 years.
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Local governments take different approaches to address staffing woes
Xpress took a look at the hardest-hit departments at the city of Asheville and Buncombe County to learn how job openings might be impacting residents and what governments are doing to hire staff amid nationwide recruitment challenges.
How to request development records
Development projects leave obvious marks on the world around them. But every building that goes up in Western North Carolina also leaves a paper trail in local government archives that, as public property, residents have the legal right to inspect.
High-level land-use discussions shape neighborhood decisions
Deciding what gets built on an empty lot down the street should, according to state law, begin with decisions about what gets built across an entire city or county. Counties and municipalities that want to have zoning in their jurisdiction first need to write a comprehensive plan that looks at big questions like which areas are best for growth.
Buncombe County development boards
Buncombe County is a relative newcomer to land use regulation, and many outlying areas still remain under open use zoning. For parts of the county where development is more regulated, these three boards have the greatest say.
Buncombe County development process
Learn more about the different types of development review in Buncombe County and the government boards responsible for each.
How to keep abreast of proposed development projects
Both Asheville and Buncombe County offer a number of tools to help residents avoid getting caught off guard by development. The following resources give early notification of development proposals and provide more information about each project’s movement through the overall approval process.
Development Guide
Mountain Xpress, with support from the American Press Institute, is excited to offer a fully linkable online version of the Development Guide — your companion to local government land-use planning.
Buncombe proposes land conservation goal
At the recommendation of the county board’s Environment & Energy Stewardship Subcommittee, which includes board Chair Brownie Newman along with Commissioners Parker Sloan and Terri Wells, members will vote on whether to commit to conserving 20% of Buncombe’s total acreage by 2030.
Local schools seek major support from Buncombe leaders
Requests outlined by Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Tony Baldwin and Asheville City Schools Superintendent Gene Freeman sought county government spending increases of up to $27.9 million, representing a nearly 32% jump from the county’s current contribution.