“I believe commissioners and boards of citizen volunteers should take it upon themselves to more heavily scrutinize traffic impact analyses — especially when engaged community stakeholders (who are experts on their own neighborhoods) continue to voice valid concerns.”
The application for what was the site of the highly contentious Bluffs proposal, submitted to Woodfin Aug. 5 by Concept Companies of Gainesville, Fla., proposes a smaller development of 672 multi-family apartments with three clubhouses called “Mountain Village.”
“Leaders shouldn’t be so focused on turning our area into an amusement park for those with disposable cash to drop on lodging and entertainment.”
“We must protect our future and stop The Bluffs. In fact, the best use of Tourism Development Authority marketing dollars would be to buy the tract and put it into land conservation for future generations.”
“Allowing The Bluffs to proceed without ensuring our public safety is playing with fire.”
“We’ve already lost the goose and the golden egg. Now the City Council is selling what’s left to the highest bidders.”
“Without the bridge, Richmond Hill will be torn apart — both figuratively and literally. Our community will bear the burden but not one benefit.”
“Projects like the one proposed for Richmond Hill have real, externalized costs, as well as intangible costs. We need to identify those costs and ask who will pay for them.”
Richmond Hill residents, eager to preserve their quiet neighborhood from traffic and construction, will do just about anything to block plans to build nearly 1,400 residential units overlooking the French Broad River. And Florida-based developer John Holdsworth and his team appear equally committed to seeing their project approved and constructed.
“I urge you to drive through this neighborhood and appreciate it for what it is, while open-mindedly envisioning the devastation that would accompany thousands of vehicles, should Bluffs on River Bend be approved.”
“We chose to buy our homes in this neighborhood and should have a voice in how the land is used.”
“Our small neighborhood and hundreds of daily Richmond Hill Park visitors do not want a Reynolds Mountain-type development here.”
“The community has serious concerns about the proposed development on Richmond Hill.”
Even with the charred Pearson mansion still standing on its grounds, plans to transform the historic Richmond Hill Inn into the Oshun Mountain Sanctuary are under way. OM Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization, held a press conference on Friday, Aug. 5, to talk about plans for the site and give a tour.
Go to the Xpress Files to read an array of documents regarding the Richmond Hill Inn, including fire inspection reports, foreclosure proceedings and a civil lawsuit involving the past and current owners of the inn.
About 10 years ago, I took a walk in Richmond Hill Park, back when trails were few and visitors fewer still. Leaving my car at the end of a local road, I set out down an unmarked trail threading between the pines. An old man, tall and in his 80s, was my guide. I’ve been […]
Multiple sources have told Xpress of a series of loud explosions in the Richmond Hill area on Wednesday, July 25, at around 10 p.m. Did you hear anything? We’re trying to locate the source of the noise.
Despite a less-than-encouraging response by the state Department of Transportation, Asheville is continuing to explore a locally developed plan for the I-26 connector. The big idea: This map, prepared by city staff, illustrates just how large an incorporated Leicester would be. Representatives from the DOT, the Federal Highway Administration and several engineering consulting firms weighed […]
“Slippery little rascal” fans flames of Richmond Hill debate A slippery debate: The discovery of a Southern Zigzag Salamander in Richmond Hill Park sparked a round of e-mails debating whether the urban forest is an appropriate location for a National Guard Armory. Courtesy R.D. Bartlett This past April, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission biologist Lori […]
Sign off: Prudential Lifestyle Realty on College Place is now in compliance with Asheville’s sign ordinance, having removed the sign from its east side. photo by Jonathan Welch Old controversies never die — they just keep cropping up in progress reports. Asheville City Council Members heard updates on a number of long-running disputes at their […]
