2025.09.16 Woodfin Town Council Meeting

Woodfin Town Council Meeting Recap – September 16, 2025

The Woodfin Town Council convened on September 16, 2025, for its regular meeting, focusing on routine administrative approvals, public input regarding community infrastructure and safety, and updates on post-Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The council began by approving the agenda and a consent agenda that included the minutes from previous meetings. The session featured significant public commentary on greenway projects and fire safety, followed by a detailed report from Town Manager Shannon Tuck on recovery progress and town operations.

During public comment, Wilson Sims, a resident of 303 Ava Lane, raised extensive concerns regarding the Greenway projects. He questioned the lack of a new agreement with Buncombe County, the transparency of funds from the 2016 bond referendum, and the specific budgets for the Beaver Dam and French Broad Greenways. Sims also requested an audit of Greenway finances and asked whether yearly objectives had been clearly stated. Following this, Eleanor Floyd addressed fire safety issues, citing a recent incident where emergency responders struggled to access a property due to narrow roads. She urged the council to review and uphold existing safety regulations regarding road widths and property maintenance, while also highlighting traffic volume concerns on Maryland Road raised by the Planning & Zoning Board.

Town Manager Shannon Tuck provided a comprehensive update on recovery efforts and town administration. Regarding Hurricane Helene, Tuck detailed the complexities of the FEMA reimbursement process, noting that many applications were denied due to definitions of "maintained property." Progress on debris removal in the Sunny Ridge area was highlighted as a priority, alongside plans for restoring Silver Line Park and Riverside Park. The council was informed that the Buncombe County recovery plan, including Woodfin’s 17-page section, was available for public comment. Other administrative updates included the town owning the Taylor Street property free and clear, the implementation of dashboard cameras in police vehicles, and the planned launch of a TextMyGov system.

On new business, the council considered a rezoning request for a 0.47-acre property on Goodman Road, moving it from Mountain Village to R10 Residential District to accommodate a double-wide manufactured home. While document summaries indicated a recommendation for approval, the meeting transcript summary states that the council decided not to take action at this time. Instead, the council encouraged residents to review the plan and scheduled a follow-up discussion for the next meeting. The council also agreed to promote the Woodfin section of the Buncombe County Recovery Plan and encourage citizen feedback, emphasizing the importance of ensuring Woodfin’s voice is heard in the broader county planning process.

No specific follow-up actions were explicitly agreed upon by individual members or staff during the meeting beyond the scheduling of the next discussion on the Goodman Road rezoning. The primary impact of this meeting for residents is the availability of the Woodfin section of the Buncombe County Recovery Plan for public review and the decision to defer the Goodman Road rezoning vote. Residents are encouraged to review the recovery plan on the county website and attend future meetings to stay informed on these ongoing matters.