2023.03.21 TC Meeting

Woodfin Town Council Meeting Recap: March 21, 2023

The Woodfin Town Council convened on March 21st for a productive meeting focused on key town initiatives, particularly those related to stormwater management and future planning. The meeting began with a recognition of Shannon’s one-year anniversary as Town Manager, highlighting her contributions to the community. Overall attendance was limited with no public comments received during the meeting.

A significant portion of the evening centered on clarifying and advancing stormwater-related projects. The Council unanimously approved a policy defining the town's responsibilities for stormwater infrastructure, ensuring clarity as Woodfin embarks on several upcoming projects. They also approved a budget amendment to finalize fiscal year 2023 and prepare for 2024. A key discussion point was the ongoing conversations with Buncombe County regarding stormwater permitting and potential inclusion of fees on property tax bills. The Council acknowledged the stalled discussions and directed staff to explore alternative options for stormwater fee collection, recognizing its importance in funding necessary infrastructure improvements.

Beyond stormwater, the Council addressed several important administrative and planning matters. Ricky Hurley, the Planning Director, was appointed as Zoning Administrator, streamlining responsibilities for existing cases while a future text amendment will transition this role to the Town Manager. A major discussion revolved around potentially combining the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment into a single entity, aiming to improve recruitment, streamline processes, and ensure consistent quorum attendance. Council members weighed the benefits of increased efficiency against potential complexities and discussed adding alternate board member seats to address quorum concerns. This move, if implemented, could significantly impact the town’s planning and zoning processes. Finally, the Council approved contracts for essential services including stormwater permit management (iWork), preliminary engineering review (Norfolk Southern), and demolition of the Silver Line Park building (Lancaster Excavating & Demo).

Looking ahead, several key action items and dates were established. Staff will now prepare a text amendment to combine the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, a process that residents are encouraged to follow closely. The new Town Clerk will begin work on March 27th, and public meetings for the Town Center Needs & Feasibility Study are scheduled for April 11th and 13th. Residents interested in shaping the future of Woodfin’s town center are encouraged to attend these meetings. The Council's next budget work session is also scheduled for April 11th, providing an opportunity to learn more about the town's financial planning.

This meeting demonstrated Woodfin’s commitment to proactive planning and addressing critical infrastructure needs, particularly in the area of stormwater management. Residents can expect further updates on these initiatives and opportunities to participate in shaping the future of their community through upcoming public meetings and budget discussions.