Special Meeting: People and Environment Recovery Board (Hybrid) (Feb 9, 2026)

People & Environment Recovery Board Meeting Recap: February 9, 2026 – Shaping Asheville's Future

The People & Environment Recovery Board (P&E) held a hybrid meeting on February 9, 2026, focusing on two key initiatives aimed at strengthening our community’s resilience and enhancing our urban forest. This meeting, attended by board members both in person and virtually, provided updates and gathered input on projects vital to Asheville's long-term health and well-being.

A Vision for Our Urban Forest: The meeting began with a presentation from Urban Canopy Works, outlining the engagement phase of the Urban Forest Master Plan. This plan aims to guide how we manage and expand our city’s trees, focusing on community priorities like reducing heat island effects and improving water quality. Board members engaged in a discussion about the importance of planting resilient tree species, addressing concerns about maintenance and potential damage from storms like Tropical Storm Helene. While no formal votes were taken, the board emphasized the need to incorporate community feedback throughout the planning process. Residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming workshops and surveys – details will be available on the city website.

Mapping Resilience: Building a Stronger Community Network: A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an introduction to the Resilience Hub Mapping Project, spearheaded by Thrive Asheville. This exciting initiative seeks to identify and map locations across our city that serve as vital support centers during emergencies – places like community centers, schools, and faith-based organizations providing essential services. The project will involve surveys, interviews with community leaders, and a "Day of Listening" to gather diverse perspectives. The goal is to create a visual map that clearly shows where these resilience hubs are located and what services they offer, helping residents quickly find support when needed. A key discussion point revolved around ensuring the map accurately reflects existing networks and connections within our community, going beyond just physical locations.

Addressing Community Concerns: Fee-in-Lieu of Compliance Several residents used the public comment period to express concerns and request action regarding the city’s fee-in-lieu of compliance policy related to urban forestry. Board members acknowledged these comments and committed to considering them for future agenda items, demonstrating a responsiveness to citizen concerns.

What's Next? Key Action Items & Dates:

• Complete the Adaptive Resilience Survey: Your voice matters! Take a few minutes to complete this survey, accessible on the city website.
• Suggest Community Advisory Committee Members: The board is seeking recommendations for individuals to serve on the Community Advisory Committee, ensuring diverse perspectives guide these important initiatives.
• Share Information: Help spread the word about the Adaptive Resilience Survey and upcoming engagement opportunities.
• UFMP Public Workshop: Mark your calendars for March 21st (date and location to be determined) to learn more about the Urban Forest Master Plan.
• Resilience Hub Mapping Project Updates: Stay tuned for further updates on the Resilience Hub Mapping project, including opportunities to provide feedback and contribute to its development.

Why This Matters to You: The P&E Recovery Board plays a crucial role in shaping our city's future. By providing input on these initiatives, the board is helping to ensure that Asheville is a more resilient, equitable, and environmentally sustainable community for all. These projects directly impact our quality of life – from the air we breathe to our ability to weather future challenges. Your participation is vital in making these efforts a success!

This recap aims to provide a clear and accessible overview of the P&E Recovery Board meeting. For detailed information, please refer to the full transcript and associated documents available on the city website.