After several work sessions, hours of public comment and the clock ticking down on a 100-day pause, Buncombe County commissioners said at their July 16 briefing meeting that they planned to create an ad hoc committee to address sticking points in a proposed short-term rentals ordinance.
“Based on what we have heard from the community … I firmly believe that the best path forward will be to broaden the scope of our discussions to include those issues surrounding STRs,” board Chair Nancy Waldrop said during the April 22 meeting.
The proposed changes will be considered at a public hearing Monday, April 22, at A-B Tech’s Ferguson Auditorium starting at 5:30 p.m. in which planning board members will vote on whether to approve the recommendations.
The proposed regulations would ban new whole-house short-term rentals in the unincorporated parts of Buncombe County unless they were located within five commercial zones or in the county’s residential open-use zone. Existing short-term rentals would not be affected by the changes but would require a county permit.
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.
After the Buncombe County Planning Board voted not to recommend a plan for mountaintop development on 176 acres in Pinners Cove, developer KLP Pinners EAT, LLC resubmitted an application for the same site using county rules that provide no avenue for public input.
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.
Learn more about the different types of development review in Buncombe County and the government boards responsible for each.
Presentations by the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment and Planning Board, both delivered to the county Board of Commissioners on Feb. 2, emphasized the need for changes in how the county handles its zoning and land use policy.
On Tuesday, Feb. 2., the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will vote on accepting a U.S. Department of the Treasury grant for emergency rental assistance. the funds would support households financially hurt by the pandemic with rent, utilities and and other expenses related to housing.
“He has proven himself a visionary and vigorous policymaker in his time on the Buncombe County Planning Board.”
The county planning department supports changing the roughly 6.4-acre property from its current residential zoning to commercial service. The Buncombe County Planning Board, however, recommended denial of the rezoning in a 6-1 decision on Oct. 21, citing concerns over resident displacement and steep slopes.
County planning staff members say special and family subdivisions have been abused by developers to skirt regulations on infrastructure and hillside protection. The Board of Commissioners will consider whether to approve new rules to fix those issues during its regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, in room 326 at 200 College St.
Republicans Mike Fryar and Robert Pressley, as well as Democrats Amanda Edwards and Al Whitesides, stood against the 1.05-acre rezoning, while Democrats Brownie Newman and Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, along with Republican Joe Belcher, gave their approval. The county planning board had recommended against the proposal, citing concerns over steep slope development.
A Vegas-based developer wants to build a resort in the mountains outside Asheville. To do so, he would need commissioners to amend Buncombe County’s zoning ordinance. Staff in the county planning department have recommended that commissioners reject the changes.
The Buncombe County Planning Board approved a zoning amendment on Feb. 19 that would require developers to submit a traffic impact study when seeking approval for a development with more than 75 residential units.
A proposed change to the Buncombe County zoning ordinance would require developers to submit a traffic impact study for any residential development with more than 75 units. The Planning Board discussed the issue at its Feb. 5 meeting and will invite public comment later this month.
Buncombe County could change its zoning code to require developers of residential projects above a certain number of units to perform a traffic impact study.
Previous plans for an apartment complex off Overlook Road in South Asheville are now calling for a 98-home subdivision. However, some residents are calling for a traffic study before it moves forward.
“Permitting duplexes in the proposed three single -family residential zoning districts is unwarranted and unnecessary, as they are currently permitted in eight other districts.”
“Permitting duplexes in all single-family residential districts will degrade these districts.”
