# City Council Meeting (Mar 26, 2024)

**Body:** City of Asheville — City Council
**Date:** March 26, 2024 12:00 PM EDT (2024-03-26T12:00:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933

## Summary

The City Council convened on March 26, 2024, for a combined budget work session and formal meeting. The session focused on adopting the Fiscal Year 2025 budget priorities, reviewing public engagement data, and voting on a wide array of infrastructure, zoning, and operational items. The Council unanimously adopted the minutes from previous meetings and approved the 2024 City Council Legislative Agenda, directing the City Attorney to distribute it to local state delegation members.

Key decisions included the approval of a contract with Tarheel Paving and Asphalt, Inc. for $2,527,521.27 (plus a 15% contingency) to resurface 5.01 miles of city streets. The Council also authorized the City Attorney’s Office to proceed with condemnation efforts for easements required for a waterline project at 11 Milkweed Way and the Hominy Creek Greenway. Additionally, the Council approved ordinances changing speed limits on Battery Park Alley, Woodfin Street, and Harvard/Ormond Avenue, and adopted an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance to update home occupation regulations. The Council also approved a budget amendment for sidewalk improvements on the Amboy Road Bridge and an amendment to the contract with TDA Consulting to support Community Development Block Grant and HOME program administration.

During the budget work session, the Council reviewed results from a public survey regarding FY25 priorities, noting that rising costs are outpacing revenue growth. Discussions covered potential General Obligation bonds for capital needs, employee compensation adjustments, and fee increases for water, stormwater, and solid waste. In the formal meeting, presentations were made on the "Cease the Harm" equity audit, the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), and the Affordable Housing Plan. The Council approved a conditional zoning amendment for the Ferry Road Community development at 1568 Brevard Road, which includes mixed-income housing and conservation areas. The public hearing for 21 London Road was continued to May 28, 2024.

Public comments addressed various topics, including truck traffic, antisemitism, calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, and the findings of the Cease the Harm Audit. A resident spoke in favor of expanding transit services. Councilwoman Roney suggested exploring options to mitigate impacts on downtown workers regarding proposed parking rate increases. The City Manager reported on outreach efforts to minority- and women-owned businesses for the asphalt project.

The Council approved the dissolution of the Asheville Police Officers and Firefighters Disability Review Board, which has not met since 2001. The City Council also adopted the FY25 Fees & Charges, including adjustments to solid waste, stormwater, water, and parking fees. The 2024 Legislative Agenda was approved, outlining priorities for state lawmakers such as infrastructure funding, stormwater pollution reduction, and protections for short-term rentals.

The City Attorney’s Office will proceed with condemnation efforts for the waterline easement at 11 Milkweed Way and the Hominy Creek Greenway easement. The City Manager will execute the contract with Tarheel Paving and Asphalt, Inc. The City Attorney will provide the 2024 Legislative Agenda to local delegation members. Staff will continue communication with applicants regarding potential postponements and consider suggestions for additional community engagement avenues. A public hearing on the Business Improvement District is planned for April 23, 2024, with votes scheduled for May 28 and June 11, 2024. More information on the budget and a potential GO bond will be presented at a worksession on April 9, 2024.

## Agenda

- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Tarheel Paving and Asphalt, Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Asphalt Resurfacing contract.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9322)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Attorney’s Office to condemn a waterline easement at 11 Milkweed Way.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9323)
- [Budget amendment, in the amount of $29,501.12, from the City’s Sidewalk Fee In-Lieu Capital Fund, to the agreement with the N.C. Dept. of Transportation for the purpose of construction of the sidewalk on Amboy Road bridge.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9324)
- [Ordinance enacting (1) a 10 mph speed limit on Battery Park Alley from Battery Park Avenue to Page Avenue; (2) a 20 mph speed limit on Woodfin Street from North Market Street to Oak Street; and (3) a 25 mph speed limit on Harvard Place from Middlemont Avenue to Ormond Avenue and Ormond Avenue from Harvard Place to Haywood Road.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9325)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Attorney’s Office to condemn an easement needed for the Hominy Creek Greenway.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9326)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amendment the contract with Training Development Associates Consulting to support the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs administration.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9327)
- [Ordinance amending Sections 2-111 through 2-130 of the Asheville City Code of Ordinances to dissolve the Asheville Police Officers and Asheville Firefighters Disability Review Board.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9328)
- [Findings of Cease the Harm Audit by Carter Development Group Heard Report Business Improvement District Presentation Heard Report Affordable Housing Plan Presentation by Enterprise Community Partners Heard Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9329)
- [Public hearing to consider the conditional zoning of 21 London Road from Commercial Industrial District to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone, and to amend the Future Land Use Map from Industrial/Manufacturing to Urban Corridor.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9330)
- [Public hearing to consider an amendment to the conditional zoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 4723) for 1568 Brevard Road to make changes to the overall site plan and development proposal.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9331)
- [Public hearing to consider an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance limiting the land uses allowed within home occupations.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9332)
- [Ordinance adopting Fiscal Year 2025 Fees & Charges.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9333)
- [Resolution to approve the 2024 City Council Legislative Agenda and to direct the City Attorney to provide the resolution to the members of our local delegation.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9334)
- [Motion to Continue to May 28, 2024](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933/item/9335)

## Votes

- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Tarheel Paving and Asphalt, Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Asphalt Resurfacing contract. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Attorney’s Office to condemn a waterline easement at 11 Milkweed Way. — Passed, 7-0
- Budget amendment, in the amount of $29,501.12, from the City’s Sidewalk Fee In-Lieu Capital Fund, to the agreement with the N.C. Dept. of Transportation for the purpose of construction of the sidewalk on Amboy Road bridge. — Passed, 7-0
- Ordinance enacting (1) a 10 mph speed limit on Battery Park Alley from Battery Park Avenue to Page Avenue; (2) a 20 mph speed limit on Woodfin Street from North Market Street to Oak Street; and (3) a 25 mph speed limit on Harvard Place from Middlemont Avenue to Ormond Avenue and Ormond Avenue from Harvard Place to Haywood Road. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Attorney’s Office to condemn an easement needed for the Hominy Creek Greenway. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to amendment the contract with Training Development Associates Consulting to support the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs administration. — Passed, 7-0
- Ordinance adopting Fiscal Year 2025 Fees & Charges. — Passed, 7-0
- Resolution to approve the 2024 City Council Legislative Agenda and to direct the City Attorney to provide the resolution to the members of our local delegation. — Passed, 7-0
- Motion to Continue to May 28, 2024 — Passed, 7-0
- Ordinance amending Sections 2-111 through 2-130 of the Asheville City Code of Ordinances to dissolve the Asheville Police Officers and Asheville Firefighters Disability Review Board. — Passed, 7-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/jCLBGI6PRLU?si=0CQpA51Ct3N95zAk
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1710/segments
- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gmL_TxZsTs
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1463/segments

## Documents

- [Presentations C - Affordable Housing Plan.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4365)
- [Public Hearing B - CZ - 1568 Brevard Rd - Ferry Road Community.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4415)
- [Public Hearing C - Presentation - Home Occupations pdf.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4411)
- [Consent D - Amboy Road Sidewalk Agreement.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4443)
- [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4382)
- [Consent A - Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4454)
- [Public Hearing B - Presentation - 1568 Brevard Rd - Ferry Road Community.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4399)
- [New A - Presentation - Fees & Charges (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4377)
- [Public Hearing B - Developer Presentation - CZ 1568 Brevard Rd.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4372)
- [Consent E - Speed Limit Changes (5).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4440)
- [Consent H - Dissolve Police & Fire DRB.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4432)
- [Consent C - 11 Milkweed Way Condemnation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4447)
- [New B - Presentation - 2024  Legislative Agenda .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4455)
- [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4407)
- [Presentations A -  Cease the Harm Audit .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4390)
- [Public Hearing C  - UDO - Home Occupation Requirements.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4428)
- [Consent B - FY24 Resurfacing .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4451)
- [New A - Fees & Charges Manual.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4419)
- [Consent F - Hominy Creek Greenway Condemnation Authority.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4436)
- [New B - Legislative Agenda - 2024 (Short Session).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4423)
- [Worksession - Community Budget Engagement Report.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4353)
- [agenda_2024-03-26.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4338)
- [minutes_2024-03-26.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4342)
- [Consent G - TDA Consulting Amendment (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4404)
- [Worksession - Budget.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4361)
- [Presentations B - Business Improvement District.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1933?document=4394)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-mar-26-2024/)
- [Agenda Briefing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uC9kylBbETytAE3GgMkagGepq-nPHoaK?usp=drive_link)
- [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NiDH9jIszj6Sfp1yBShmUSkaSvN1BMvh/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nlv6Lx0tERSb2twKSK-LFSUp1aEE6t_h/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/q8004)
- [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)