Event Recap
Meeting Overview The Woodfin Town Council held a regular meeting on March 17, 2026. The agenda included the approval of the meeting agenda and consent items, a public hearing on a zoning ordinance, and discussions regarding local infrastructure, public safety, and community identity.
Key Decisions The Council voted to approve the meeting agenda, with Council Member Ervin making the motion and Council Member Parton seconding it; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0. The Council also voted to return to open session following a closed session, with Council Member Ervin making the motion and Council Member Parton seconding it; this motion passed unanimously, 6-0. As part of the consent agenda, the Council approved the minutes from the February 17, 2026, regular meeting and the March 10, 2026, budget work session. The Council also approved the tax collection report for the period ending January 2026 and Resolution 2026-01, which adds the Towns of Marshall and Mars Hill as members of the Asheville Regional Housing Consortium. In new business, the Council unanimously approved a conditional zoning request for a 16-unit multifamily apartment building. Additionally, the Council voted to hold the stormwater fee steady for another year.
Discussion Highlights Allison Dains, Director of Buncombe County Parks and Recreation, presented an update on the Woodfin Greenway Blueway project. She outlined the project’s goals for transportation, environmental preservation, recreation, and economic growth, noting that the total project funding is approximately $16.3 million. Dains detailed the project components, including the Silver Line Park, Riverside Expansion, and two trail sections along Highway 251 and Beaverdam Creek. She noted that right-of-way acquisition is scheduled for August for the Highway 251 section and September for the Beaverdam Creek section.
Chief Jacqui Boykin presented the Police Department’s annual report, highlighting that Woodfin recorded 100 Part One crimes in 2025, a rate of 12 per thousand residents, which is lower than neighboring communities. Boykin noted a case clearance rate exceeding 50% and reported a recent seizure of over 10,000 doses of methamphetamine. The discussion also covered the transition of I-26 crash response from the Woodfin Police to the Highway Patrol, potentially in exchange for drug interdiction support, and the development of a drug intervention strategy.
The Council engaged in a significant discussion regarding the establishment of a unique zip code for the Town of Woodfin, separate from North Asheville. This item was presented by Vice Mayor Ervin, Council Members Kahn, and Young. The discussion centered on potential financial benefits, such as insurance rates and grant procurement, as well as community identity and historical context.
Shannon Tuch, Town Manager, provided a report on various administrative matters, including updates on Tropical Storm Helene recovery efforts, where debris projects are expected to be fully reimbursed by FEMA. Tuch also discussed a pause in the code update process pending a consultant’s revision, with review scheduled for late March or early April.
Community Input No residents signed up for public comment, and the floor was opened with no comments received.
Follow-ups Town staff agreed to support Council Member Young and Johanna in pursuing the application for a unique zip code. If the Postal Service is unwilling to grant the request, the plan is to extend the conversation to congressional representatives. The Council also agreed to proceed with right-of-way acquisition for both Greenway sections and to continue outreach to property owners along the Greenway routes. Staff will develop a drug intervention strategy for budget discussions.
Impact These decisions and discussions impact residents through the stabilization of stormwater fees, the approval of new affordable housing, and the advancement of the Greenway Blueway project, which aims to improve local connectivity and recreation. The police report provides transparency on public safety metrics and the department’s strategic direction, including accreditation efforts and personnel changes. The pursuit of a unique zip code may influence local business operations and community identity, while the pause in the code update process indicates a commitment to thorough review before finalizing local regulations.