Town Council Workshop - Feb 09 2026

The Town of Weaverville Town Council held a joint workshop with the Planning Board on February 9, 2026, to address several critical planning matters, including updates to the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the introduction of new residential zoning districts, and various regulatory reviews. The primary objective of the session was to initiate conversations and establish a framework for future decisions rather than to finalize specific policies. While the agenda covered a broad range of topics, the body focused on providing direction to staff and refining the town’s long-term development goals.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on updating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, originally adopted in 2019. Staff and board members reviewed the plan’s goals and assigned priorities to various action items, with a consensus reached on most staff recommendations. Notable adjustments included adding a thoroughfare analysis as a priority item, suggested by Councilman Phil, to study town roads in preparation for the upcoming hospital opening and to address traffic bottlenecks. The council also discussed the need for regulations regarding mobile vendors beyond food trucks and agreed to favor conventional zoning districts over conditional ones to increase predictability. Additionally, the town will incorporate findings from the Buncombe County Hazard Mitigation Plan and review state legislation regarding downzoning.

The meeting also featured extensive debate on proposed new residential zoning districts, R6 and R10, which would permit higher-density single-family housing on smaller lots. While the Planning Board had previously voted 3-2 in favor of the R10 district’s specifications, the Town Council expressed significant concerns during this workshop. Members raised issues regarding fire safety due to reduced side setbacks, the potential impact on the town’s unique character, and the strain on infrastructure and services. Councilman Phil’s suggestion for a thoroughfare study was highlighted in this context as well. Due to these concerns, the council decided to postpone final action on the R6 and R10 districts, opting to revisit the topic at a future meeting after further review.

Other items discussed included a Resolution Concerning Growth Areas, which identifies specific zones for development such as the Gill Branch Valley and I-26 Corridor, and potential changes to an interlocal agreement for building inspections with the county. The possibility of creating a greenway overlay district for future recreational trails was also noted. However, the council postponed action on the Growth Areas resolution and other land use topics for further discussion. No minutes from prior meetings were approved during this session, and no public comments from residents were recorded in the summaries provided.

Moving forward, town staff will prepare a revised draft of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan incorporating the feedback received during the workshop. The Planning Board is tasked with reviewing this revised plan and making a recommendation to the Town Council. The council will subsequently hold public hearings on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and any future zoning changes. Staff will also investigate options for studying town thoroughfares to improve emergency access. The council explicitly agreed to revisit the R6 and R10 zoning proposals at a future meeting, ensuring that concerns regarding density, safety, and town character are fully addressed before any potential adoption.