# Special Meeting: People and Environment Recovery Board (Hybrid) (Feb 9, 2026) **Body:** City of Asheville — People and Environment Recovery Board **Date:** February 9, 2026 5:30 PM EST (2026-02-09T17:30:00-05:00) **Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA - First Floor Conference Room **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332 ## Summary On February 9th, the People & Environment Recovery Board convened in a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual) to discuss key initiatives shaping Asheville's environmental resilience and recovery. This recap breaks down what was discussed, decided, and how it impacts you as a resident. **What Happened? Key Decisions & Updates:** The meeting centered around two major projects: the **Urban Forest Master Plan** and a new **Resilience Hub Mapping Project**. The board also took care of some administrative business, rescheduling the April 6th meeting to **April 13th** due to school break conflicts. The minutes from the December 1, 2025 meeting were approved unanimously, marking a smooth start to the proceedings. **Digging Deeper: Discussion Highlights & Community Voices:** * **Growing Our Urban Forest:** Keith Atkin and Mindy Moreman from Urban Canopy Works presented an update on the engagement phase of the Urban Forest Master Plan. Discussions focused on prioritizing community needs like heat reduction and water quality, selecting resilient tree species that can withstand changing climate conditions, and addressing concerns about tree maintenance. * **Mapping Community Strength: Resilience Hubs:** Crystal Perez and Kate Pett from Thrive Asheville introduced the exciting new Resilience Hub Mapping Project. This project aims to identify and map locations across Asheville that provide essential services during emergencies – think community centers, libraries, or places offering food and support. The board engaged in a lively discussion about how to best represent these connections within the community and ensure equitable access for all residents. A "Day of Listening" is planned to gather direct input from community members. * **Addressing Fee-in-Lieu Concerns:** Several residents spoke during the public comment period, raising concerns about how the city uses "fee-in-lieu" funds – money collected from developers when they don't fully meet tree canopy requirements. The board acknowledged these concerns and committed to considering them for future agenda items, signaling a potential shift in how these funds are utilized. **Your Voice Matters: Community Input & Concerns:** Residents actively participated, sharing valuable perspectives on both projects. A key question raised was about the scope of the Resilience Hub Mapping Project and how it connects with broader regional efforts. Another resident suggested a real-time mapping system to capture rapidly evolving community responses during crises, highlighting the need for adaptable solutions. The discussion around "fee-in-lieu" funds underscored a strong desire to see these resources directly benefit Asheville's trees and green spaces. **What’s Next? Action Items & Future Steps:** * **Get Involved!** Board members and community members are encouraged to complete the **Adaptive Resilience Survey**, available on the city website. * **Shape Our Future:** Board members are asked to recommend potential candidates for the **Community Advisory Committee**, ensuring diverse voices shape these important initiatives. * **Stay Informed:** Board members are encouraged to share information about the survey with their networks and review supplemental resources available on the agenda. * **Addressing Fee-in-Lieu:** City staff will carefully consider the concerns raised during public comment regarding the "fee-in-lieu" policy and bring forward options for future discussion. **Why This Matters to You:** The decisions made at this meeting directly impact Asheville’s long-term resilience and environmental health. The Urban Forest Master Plan will guide the city's efforts to create a healthier, greener urban environment. The Resilience Hub Mapping Project will strengthen our community’s ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies, ensuring everyone has access to essential support. By engaging in these initiatives, you have the opportunity to shape a more vibrant and resilient Asheville for generations to come. ## Agenda - [WELCOME AND ROLL CALL](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1579) - [APPROVAL OF MINUTES](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1580) - [A. Urban Forest Master Plan Update](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1582) - [UPDATES/REPORTS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1581) - [NEW BUSINESS](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1583) - [A. Resilience Hub Mapping](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1584) - [B. Rescheduling April 6, 2026 Meeting](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1585) - [PUBLIC COMMENT](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1586) - [ADJOURNMENT](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332/item/1587) ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://youtube.com/live/3t104U_s5sQ?feature=share - Recording: https://youtube.com/live/7lnAlVp82FM?feature=share - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1047/segments ## Documents - [P&E Recovery Board Agenda 2/9/2026.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=2540) - [Asheville Urban Forest Master Plan_2/9/2026 P&E Meeting.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=2537) - [Resilience Hub Mapping_ 2/9/2026 P&E Meeting.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=2539) - [February 9, 2026 Supplemental Materials Memo](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=8872) - [Draft Action Minuntes_12-1-2025_Helene People & Environment Recovery Board.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=10965) - [Email Comments_People and Environment Recovery Board_2-9-2026.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=9518) - [Approved Action Minutes_ 2-9-2026_Helene People & Environment Recovery Board.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=10966) - [agenda_2026-02-09.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=2536) - [minutes_2026-02-09.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1332?document=10975) ## Sources - [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/special-meeting-people-and-environment-recovery-board-hybrid-feb-9-2026/)