City Council Meeting (Jun 25, 2024)

The City Council convened on June 25, 2024, for a combined agenda briefing work session and regular meeting. The session began with an overview of the day’s agenda, including a work session on affordable housing followed by the formal council meeting. The council addressed various operational, financial, and planning matters, moving through consent agenda items, public hearings, and bond authorizations.

Key decisions included the approval of several contracts and resolutions. The council authorized a budget amendment to allocate $811,808 in opioid settlement funds to support two peer support specialist positions within the Community Responder Program. Council members also approved a $11.2 million amendment to the existing transit services contract with RATP Dev USA for Fiscal Year 2025. Additionally, the council approved a $530,000 design-build contract for the Jackson Building to serve as temporary space for fire department operations during municipal building repairs, and authorized a lease for an AFD logistics warehouse in Black Mountain. The council voted 6-1 to approve the rezoning of 28 Roberts Street from RAD-NT to RM-8, with Councilwoman Roney voting against the measure. A public hearing regarding the conditional zoning for 172 Moody Avenue was continued to July 23, 2024.

During the meeting, Mayor Mann-Hammer addressed a recent incident involving vandalism to vehicles belonging to a volunteer task force working on a Business Improvement District, condemning the behavior and emphasizing that intimidation tactics would not be tolerated. Councilwoman Roney raised concerns regarding transparency and community engagement related to the Haywood Road project, noting feedback from local business and neighborhood associations. Councilwoman Mosley suggested exploring options to offset a potential tax increase by potentially receiving funds from Buncombe County regarding transit operations. City Manager Deborah Campbell emphasized the importance of civil discourse and aligning council priorities with updates to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO).

Regarding community input, no public comments were taken during the agenda briefing work session. However, during the formal meeting, the council heard from the Planning & Zoning Commission regarding the 28 Roberts Street proposal. The PZC had recommended approval, while city staff recommended denial, citing concerns that the change would undermine previous community planning efforts for the River Arts District. For the 172 Moody Avenue proposal, the council reviewed a plan for a large mixed-use development that had been approved by the Technical Review Committee and the PZC with specific conditions, including the installation of missing crosswalks.

The council set a public hearing for July 23, 2024, to discuss bond orders for affordable housing, transportation, parks and recreation, and public safety, as well as Community Development Block Grants. A November 2024 referendum will allow voters to decide on these general obligation bonds. The council also approved resolutions allowing alcohol consumption at several upcoming community events, including the Independence Day Block Party and the Asheville Half Marathon. Staff will continue to coordinate with Duke Energy and Buncombe County regarding the Rankin substation project, and a transit committee is scheduled to review text amendments to the UDO on July 8, 2024.