Asheville City Council Meeting Recap: August 27, 2024

The Asheville City Council held its regular meeting on August 27, 2024, addressing a comprehensive agenda that included infrastructure projects, zoning amendments, financial resolutions, and community planning initiatives. The council began in closed session to discuss legal matters and personnel issues before moving to the public portion of the meeting. The session covered significant decisions regarding land use, public safety, and long-term city planning, with most items passing unanimously.

Key Decisions and Votes The council voted to approve a wide range of resolutions, all passing with a 6-0 tally. Major decisions included:

• Parks and Recreation: The council adopted the "Recreate Asheville: Shaping Our City Parks" 10-Year Plan and authorized a contract with Surface 678 to prepare a facility improvement plan for Recreation & Azalea Park.
• Infrastructure and Construction: The council authorized a construction contract with DanGrady Company, LLC for the Southside Connectivity Improvements Project. Additionally, the council approved a resolution authorizing the City Attorney’s Office to institute a condemnation action to obtain a temporary construction easement for a slide repair project on Vance Gap Road.
• Property and Zoning: The council approved a full and fair exchange of real property at 34 Hiawassee Street with Duke Energy Progress. Following a public hearing, the council permanently closed a paper right-of-way on 34 Hiawassee Street. The council also passed a resolution of intent to permanently close approximately 140 feet of Sawyer Street, connecting to Coxe Avenue.
• Financial and Administrative: The council approved the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Annual Tax Settlement Report and authorized the Mayor to execute an Order of Collection. The council also passed an initial resolution to pursue and negotiate the refinancing of city debt.
• Community and Grants: The council approved a resolution to donate computers and cell phones to the Land of Sky Regional Council. They also voted to extend the Community Reparations Commission until February 2025.
• Public Hearings: The council held public hearings and voted to pass a conditional zoning amendment for property at 252 Patton Avenue (Rankin Avenue Substation Rebuild Project) and a rezoning of 99999 Long Shoals Road from Residential Single-Family Low Density to Highway Business District.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Merriman Avenue Complete Streets Project. Representatives from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) presented an update highlighting positive safety outcomes, including a 23% reduction in total crashes and a 30% reduction in injury crashes. Council members raised concerns regarding pedestrian crossing times and the potential for increased traffic on adjacent routes, prompting a discussion on ongoing monitoring.

The most contentious item was the conditional zoning amendment for the Riverside Residences project at 179 & 144 Riverside Drive. The proposal seeks to increase residential units from 134 to 240, remove commercial space, and extend the building length to 400 feet along the riverfront. While the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval, the Design Review Committee had previously voted 7-0 against the project, citing concerns about building mass and pedestrian connections. Council members expressed reservations about setting a precedent that could negatively impact the River Arts District. Despite staff recommending approval, no final vote was taken on this specific item during the recorded portion of the summary, with discussions continuing regarding revisiting the proposal with the applicant to address design concerns.

The council also recognized two Public Works Department employees, Jess Foster and Terrell Bowen, for receiving awards from the North Carolina chapter of the American Public Works Association. Additionally, the council unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing August 27–September 3, 2024, as Urban Trail Appreciation Week.

Community Input During the meeting, a member of the public repeatedly attempted to speak without signing up, leading to repeated requests from the council for them to leave. During the Urban Trail Appreciation Week recognition, community members shared stories about the trail's impact. During the Merriman Avenue presentation, residents engaged in a discussion about pedestrian safety and traffic flow. During the Riverside Drive zoning discussion, several council members voiced concerns about community input and the potential impact on the River Arts District.

Follow-ups

• Merriman Avenue: NCDOT is to address pedestrian crossing concerns, and continued monitoring of traffic patterns and safety data will occur.
• Riverside Drive: City staff and Duke Energy will explore options for addressing design concerns, potentially including revisiting the proposal with the applicant.
• Rankin Avenue Substation: Duke Energy will explore options for graphical inserts on the fencing surrounding the temporary substation.
• Bond Financing: A public hearing is scheduled for September 10, 2024, to gather public comment on the debt financing plan.
• Sawyer Street: A public hearing is scheduled for September 24, 2024, regarding the permanent closure of the portion of Sawyer Street.
• Community Reparations Commission: Staff will explore opportunities for a historical marker related to reparations and provide an update to the council later. Staff will also create separate categories for reparations and affordable housing on the Hotel Benefits Table dashboard.