2022.01.11 CPSC Meeting

Town & Woodland Charts Course for Future with Comprehensive Plan 2042 Kickoff

On January 11, 2022, the Town & Woodland’s Comprehensive Plan 2042 Steering Committee officially began its work, marking a significant step towards shaping the future of our community. The meeting served as an introductory session for committee members, outlining the goals and scope of a plan designed to guide growth and development in Town & Woodland through 2042. The overall aim is to create a shared vision that aligns with community desires and addresses challenges the town may face in the coming decades.

A core focus of the discussions revolved around several key areas identified as priorities for Woodfin's future. These include revitalizing the town center to enhance its image, strategically developing the French Broad Riverfront – with particular interest in exploring the potential of an artificial wave project and expanding greenway/blueway connections – addressing housing affordability and ensuring equitable opportunities for all residents, prioritizing sustainability and climate resilience (including consideration of potential impacts from climate migration), expanding parks and recreation options, and supporting local businesses to foster a vibrant economy. The committee also reviewed the town's previous, unadopted 2008 Comprehensive Plan and received a summary of feedback from Town & Woodland staff, who emphasized desires for improved infrastructure, increased services, and a thriving community. Notably, initial results from a public survey already show over 289 responses collected so far, demonstrating early community engagement.

While no formal votes were taken during this initial meeting, the committee reached several important agreements. They will utilize a Microsoft Teams document for collaborative brainstorming and idea sharing, with the assistance of Amanda Ray, a writing teacher, to synthesize those ideas into a revised vision statement. Committee members are expected to contribute their input on this draft by Tuesday, February 15th. The committee also discussed plans for broader community outreach, including potential virtual meetings in early February and exploring partnerships with the Buncombe County planning process. Recognizing the importance of inclusivity, discussions also centered on providing Spanish language support for community engagement efforts.

Several committee members and residents shared their perspectives, emphasizing a desire to preserve Woodfin’s small-town character while proactively addressing future needs. Concerns about equitable access to housing, climate change preparedness, and balancing development with environmental preservation were consistently raised. Gerald Green, the Planning Director, underscored the importance of creating a plan that truly reflects community desires and provides a clear roadmap for Woodfin's future. Will Yeiser (French Broad River Academy) highlighted the potential of the riverfront and greenway/blueway as defining elements for Woodfin, while Judy Butler (MANA Food Bank) advocated strongly for addressing inequities and leveling the playing field for all residents.

Looking ahead, several key action items have been identified. Committee members will review the 2021 Comprehensive Plan and provide input on the draft vision statement by February 15th. Town staff, led by Gerald Green and the planning team, will continue gathering stakeholder input through interviews. The town will also ramp up efforts to promote the public survey and explore additional community engagement opportunities, including investigating translation services for broader participation. This kickoff meeting laid the groundwork for a collaborative process that will directly impact the future of Town & Woodland, and your participation is crucial to ensuring the plan reflects our community's vision for 2042.