Planning Board of Adjustment

Woodfin Planning Board of Adjustment Meeting Recap – July 1, 2025

The Woodfin Planning Board of Adjustment convened on July 1, 2025, with a full quorum present. The meeting centered around two significant development proposals impacting the community: Riverside Rhapsody, an affordable housing project, and a rezoning request for 3 Puffin Lane. The Board’s decisions will shape the future landscape of Woodfin, balancing growth with resident concerns and affordability goals.

The primary focus was the Riverside Rhapsody project, a planned 120-unit affordable housing development on Reynolds Mountain Boulevard. The developer proposed a modification to the original plan, shifting from one large building to three smaller structures integrated into the hillside. This change was largely welcomed by the Board, who noted it would better blend with the natural surroundings and eliminate one driveway entrance from Reynolds Mountain Boulevard. A key point of discussion involved a request to increase parking spaces per unit from 0.5 to 1.4, which the Board approved, finding that the increased parking would be manageable and wouldn't negatively impact residential areas. All units will remain affordable for families earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), a crucial aspect of the project. While the revised plan necessitates a slight increase in steep slope disturbance (from 80% to 91%), the Board acknowledged this was necessary for the new building configuration, considering the property’s history of previous development attempts and a deteriorated state resulting from prior grading. Dr. Steve Adams, an adjacent property owner, raised concerns about stormwater drainage and potential tree damage during grading. The Board unanimously approved the conditional zoning modification, pending staff addressing Dr. Adams' stormwater concerns and ensuring adherence to existing conditions.

The second major item on the agenda involved a request to rezone approximately 0.92 acres at 3 Puffin Lane from Residential (R10) to Community Shopping (CS). This property currently contains a dilapidated house. The Board recognized that the area is designated for mixed-use development in Woodfin's future land use plan. To ensure compatibility with the surrounding residential neighborhood, they opted for a conditional zoning approach, limiting potential future uses. After discussion, the Board decided to restrict allowed businesses to landscaping services, personal service businesses (like hair salons), and office spaces, specifically excluding daycare centers and medical offices due to traffic concerns. Resident Kathy Hubner from Moore Street voiced worries about increased traffic and noise, which the Board considered in their deliberations. Ultimately, the Board unanimously approved the conditional zoning, limiting parking to the existing configuration on site.

Moving forward, both approved conditional zonings will be forwarded to the Town Council for final approval, expected in mid-August. Staff will also address Dr. Adams’ concerns regarding stormwater drainage and tree preservation at the Riverside Rhapsody site, coordinating with the developer. While not required, staff will inform the North Carolina Department of Transportation about the 3 Puffin Lane project to assess potential traffic impacts. The Board reiterated its commitment to balancing development with neighborhood concerns and encouraged developers to proactively address potential issues through collaboration.

Residents can stay informed about these developments and future projects by checking the Town of Woodfin website for official meeting minutes and attending upcoming Planning Board meetings. These decisions represent a significant step in shaping the future of Woodfin, and ongoing engagement is encouraged to ensure community interests are represented.