City Council Agenda Briefing (Virtual) (May 7, 2026)

City Council Agenda Briefing Recap: May 7, 2026

On May 7, 2026, the Asheville City Council held a virtual work session to review upcoming agendas and discuss key issues facing the city. Led by Vice Mayor Mosley in the absence of Mayor Mannheimer and Council Member Allman, this session focused on preparing for meetings scheduled later in May (May 11th – Planning, Economic Development & Environmental Committee; May 12th – Full City Council). While no formal votes were taken during this briefing, the discussion provided valuable insight into priorities and potential decisions on the horizon for Asheville residents.

A significant portion of the meeting centered around Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. Council members engaged in a robust discussion about how best to allocate these resources, ultimately leaning towards reallocating funds from infrastructure projects to support single-family home repair programs. This shift reflects a recognized high demand and need within the community, particularly in light of updates provided on the state-run Renew NC program which has expanded eligibility and increased award amounts. Council members also explored the possibility of leveraging city bond funding to further bolster these home repair efforts, with an eye towards maximizing impact and potentially fostering generational wealth building. Council Member Roney voiced concerns about balancing infrastructure investments with housing needs, while Council Member Turner questioned whether current funding allocations were truly maximizing impact.

Beyond CDBG-DR, the Council reviewed plans for a $40 million debt issuance to support the ongoing Capital Improvement Program (CIP), encompassing projects like building renovations, parking garages, and street resurfacing. They also discussed financing for the Mills River Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project and refinancing existing water revenue bonds. Finally, a proposal to permanently close a portion of St. Dunstan’s Road, currently an unused right-of-way, was briefly discussed. The Council also acknowledged the upcoming recognition of Public Works and Capital Facilities employees for their dedication.

Looking ahead, several key action items emerged from the briefing. Council members will continue reviewing the agenda for the May 12th full City Council meeting, and the Planning, Economic Development & Environmental Committee will delve deeper into two conditional zoning proposals: one for 100 affordable rental units on Caribou Road (with a split Planning and Zoning Commission vote) and another for 126 affordable rental units on Sweden Creek Road (unanimously recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission). City staff have been tasked with researching potential impacts of funding reallocation, particularly concerning affordable housing and home repair initiatives. A public hearing regarding the manager’s proposed budget is scheduled for May 26th, providing an opportunity for broader community input.

This briefing session highlighted the City Council’s focus on addressing critical needs within Asheville, particularly regarding housing affordability and disaster recovery. Residents can stay informed by following the Council’s progress at upcoming meetings, including the May 11th PEDE committee meeting and the May 12th full City Council session, which can be viewed on the City of Asheville’s YouTube channel or via https://publicinput.com/g1267.