“Residential construction hasn’t kept up with population growth, and the resulting scarcity pushes up rents and home prices. This means that the folks who make Asheville weird, its artists and young people, are being pushed out.”
Tag: zoning
Showing 1-21 of 131 results
How zoning, land-use rules work
Court rulings and state laws sometimes mean local governments can’t adopt zoning rules their constituents might like — and in some cases, it’s uncertain just how much authority municipalities have, say Asheville City Attorney Brad Branham and other lawyers working in the field.
Letter: Say ‘no’ to city’s plan to gut open space requirements
“Many activists, citizens, eco-groups, the Urban Forestry Commission and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee are justly appalled by and formally opposed to PUDD’s machination.”
Letter: Poorly managed growth costs us
“The primary purpose of zoning laws should be to mitigate these externalized costs, to prevent development from being a burden on the community.”
Letter: Looking for safeguards in Woodfin
“The town of Woodfin has obfuscated when it should have been more honest and clear.”
Repurposing vacant commercial property could help combat sprawl, create affordable housing
Countless existing structures of every shape and size remain vacant throughout the city, many in decrepit condition after years with no occupants. According to the National Association of Realtors’ Q3 2021 Commercial Real Estate Metro Market Report, 26% of Asheville’s currently available commercial space is vacant, including industrial, multifamily, retail and office properties.
Letter: Short-term rentals are harming neighborhoods
“There absolutely should be zoning rules, restrictions and regulations in Buncombe County that prevent investors, who have no interest in an area beyond making money, from creating these stand-alone STRs in established neighborhoods.”
Unkindest cut
Letter: Charlotte Street development: Your quiet street is next
“Every visionary city plan with citizen input here was created exactly to prevent this type of intrusion and destruction.”
Letter: Keep current zoning for Charlotte Street corridor
“As a neighborhood, many of us would likely extend our heartfelt support for a development project that respects the hard work, discernment and collective visioning of our neighborhood citizens and abides by the present zoning that we have worked so diligently to create.”
Letter: Asheville area can learn from Coral Gables
“The city of Coral Gables, Fla.. … has been very successful preserving its heritage as well as allowing for the growth that comes with a popular place to live.
City Council candidates talk zoning, land use
Zoning may not deliver the same zing as other hot-button issues in a competitive election cycle, but it’s among the most crucial discussions Asheville leaders and residents face as the city grows. Each candidate has different ideas about what to do first.
Council to consider UDO changes, JCC expansion
Move over, police, protests and the pandemic: At Asheville City Council’s meeting of Tuesday, Oct. 13, the focus shifts to development (at least according to the agenda).
New Crossroads: two development proposals could add 1,500+ housing units
The Buncombe County Planning Board will hear proposals for two massive development projects at its virtual meeting of Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 9 a.m.
Council considers new standards for tree canopy preservation
Asheville City Council will take a brief respite from conversations about policing and budgets to consider new standards for tree canopy preservation at its meeting of Tuesday, Aug. 25. Three public hearings will address different parts of the proposed standards.
Buncombe County considers expanding access to manufactured homes
In Buncombe County, manufactured housing is limited to certain zoning designations, but the county planning board recently voted in favor of an amendment that would expand the list of areas where manufactured homes would be allowed. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing about the change in the coming weeks.
Letter: ‘Opportunity Zones’ highlight need to defend neighborhoods
“Crucially, there is no requirement that projects financed this way demonstrate any benefit to their host neighborhood, either before, during or after they are completed.”
Letter: Steady Collective provides lifesaving services
“For a town that touts its ‘progressiveness,’ the city of Asheville has shown once again that it is only willing to take the measures that will make our town pretty for its tourists — not livable for its residents.”
Letter: A stain on this town
“I call foul on the city for engaging in this aggressive, underhanded attempt to further gentrify West Asheville.”
Solving Asheville’s affordable housing crunch: The Gospel According to Jerry
“When local workers can’t find housing they can afford and our less fortunate population — including families with children — is one rent check away from living on the street, this predicament has reached critical mass.”
Asheville City Council, Buncombe Commissioners discuss racial equity, development in joint meeting
2018’s annual joint meeting of Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners highlighted issues of racial equity, police use-of-force and zoning conflicts affecting Buncombe residents.