# City Council Meeting (Mar 12, 2024)

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

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935

## Summary

The Asheville City Council held a regular meeting on March 12, 2024, focusing on routine contract approvals, housing finance, and a significant public hearing regarding a new hotel development in Biltmore Village. The meeting began with proclamations recognizing March as the 50th Anniversary Month for the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) and as American Red Cross Month. Following these recognitions, the Council approved the consent agenda, which included several software and service contracts, while removing two items for separate discussion.

**Key Decisions and Votes**

The Council voted on a series of resolutions and ordinances, with most passing unanimously. The Council approved contracts for community engagement software with Cityzen Solutions, Inc. d/b/a Public Input, and work planning software with Envisio Solutions, Inc. (both 6-0). A resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an audit contract with Cherry Bekaert, LLP for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, also passed 6-0. The Council authorized a contract with Play By Design for the Carrier Playground Replacement Project (6-0) and approved two resolutions for the Housing Authority to issue bonds for the Lakeshore Villas ($23,500,000) and Laurel Wood Apartments ($12,775,000) projects, both passing 6-0. These bond approvals satisfy federal tax law requirements and do not create a financial obligation for the City.

The Council also approved an agreement with Asheville PEAK Academy and a budget amendment allocating $501,384 of remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the academy, both passing 6-0. Routine monthly municipal property tax refunds were approved 6-0. The Council voted 5-1 to approve an interlocal agreement with the Asheville w/Roney City Board of Education to provide up to five school resource officers. In a 3-3 vote, the Council failed to pass an ordinance removing the County Commissioner seat from the Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission. However, a resolution appointing Councilwoman Maggie Ullman to the Riverfront Commission passed 6-0.

**Zoning and Development**

The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to a public hearing on a request to rezone properties at 1 Angle Street and 10 Kitchin Place from Community Business II to Commercial Expansion - Conditional Zone. This project involves the construction of a 99-room hotel with ground-level restaurant and retail space in Biltmore Village. After hearing from staff and the public, the Council voted 4-2 to approve the conditional zoning. The approval included voluntary commitments from the developer, such as contributing $6,000 per room to a reparations and/or affordable housing trust fund and $300 per room to the Public Art Fund, along with provisions for employee parking.

**Community Input**

Public comment addressed a range of topics. Regarding the zoning request, speakers expressed mixed views, with some supporting the development and others raising concerns about its impact on Biltmore Village’s character, traffic, and parking. Other speakers advocated for increased funding and resources for domestic violence victims, voiced concerns about the safety and management of low-barrier shelters like Compass Point, and called for allowing couples to stay together in homeless shelters. One speaker presented a detailed historical argument regarding the conflict in Gaza.

**Follow-ups**

The City Attorney agreed to create a separate document outlining the voluntary community commitments made by the developer to ensure they are documented alongside the conditional zoning agreement. The Council acknowledged the need for a plan to address employee parking in Biltmore Village and may consider further evaluation of low-barrier shelter management and safety protocols. Additionally, the Council acknowledged the need to discuss transit options and service improvements.

**Impact on Residents**

These decisions affect daily city services and neighborhood development. The approval of the hotel zoning will bring new commercial and lodging options to Biltmore Village, subject to the conditions set by the Council. The bond approvals support the construction of affordable housing units in Arden and Asheville, with affordability restrictions in place for 30 years. The allocation of ARPA funds to Asheville PEAK Academy supports educational programs for students from low-to-moderate income families, utilizing funds that must be obligated by December 31, 2024. The renewal of the school resource officer agreement ensures continued police presence in Asheville City Schools for the upcoming academic year.

## Agenda

- [March, 2024, as “MAHEC’s 50th Anniversary Month”](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/20284)
- [March, 2024, as “Red Cross Month”](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/20285)
- [Approval of the minutes of the City Council annual retreat held on February 22-23, 2024; and the formal meeting held on February 27, 2024.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/20286)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Cityzen Solutions, Inc. d/b/a Public Input, for community engagement software.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9336)
- [Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Cherry Bekaert, LLP for auditing City accounts for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9337)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a three-year contract with Envisio Solutions, Inc. for a work planning and tracking software subscription.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9338)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an interlocal agreement with the Asheville City Board of Education to provide up to five school resource officers.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9339)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Play By Design for the Carrier Playground Replacement Project; and further authorizing the City Manager to execute any change orders that may arise during the project.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9340)
- [Request of the Housing Authority for City Council to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of up to $23,500,000 Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to provide financing for Lakeshore Villas to satisfy Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, with no City financial obligation associated with the bonds or any debt taken on by the developer.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9341)
- [Request of the Housing Authority for City Council to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of up to $12,775,000 Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to provide financing for Laurel Wood apartments to satisfy Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, with no City financial obligation associated with the bonds or any debt taken on by the developer.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9342)
- [Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/20287)
- [Ordinance amending the membership to remove the County Commissioner seat on the Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9343)
- [Resolution appointing Councilwoman Maggie Ullman to the Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9344)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Asheville PEAK Academy.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9345)
- [Budget amendment, in the amount of $501,384 of the remaining unobligated balance of American Rescue Plan Act funds, for Asheville PEAK Academy.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9346)
- [Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 105-381.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9347)
- [Manager’s Report - Employee Recognition](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9348)
- [Public hearing to consider the conditional zoning of 1 Angle Street and 10 Kitchin Place from Community Business II District to Commercial Expansion - Conditional Zone.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9349)
- [Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Illumined Leadership Solutions for a Community Facilitator to support planning and implementation of the Boosting the Block project funded by the Mellon Foundation for a total contract amount of $180,000.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9350)
- [Budget amendment, in the amount of $3 Million from the Mellon Foundation for the Boosting the Block Project.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935/item/9351)

## Votes

- Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract with Cherry Bekaert, LLP for auditing City accounts for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2024. — Passed, 6-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute an interlocal agreement with the Asheville w/Roney City Board of Education to provide up to five school resource officers. — Passed, 5-1
- Ordinance amending the membership to remove the County Commissioner seat on the Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission. — Failed, 3-3
- Resolution appointing Councilwoman Maggie Ullman to the Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission. — Passed, 6-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Asheville PEAK Academy. — Passed, 6-0
- Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per N.C. Gen. Stat. sec. 105-381. — Passed, 6-0
- Budget amendment, in the amount of $3 Million from the Mellon Foundation for the Boosting the Block Project. — Passed, 6-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Play By Design for the Carrier Playground Replacement Project; and further authorizing the City Manager to execute any change orders that may arise during the project. — Passed, 6-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a three-year contract with Envisio Solutions, Inc. for a work planning and tracking software subscription. — Passed, 6-0
- Budget amendment, in the amount of $501,384 of the remaining unobligated balance of American Rescue Plan Act funds, for Asheville PEAK Academy. — Passed, 6-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Illumined Leadership Solutions for a Community Facilitator to support planning and implementation of the Boosting the Block project funded by the Mellon Foundation for a total contract amount of $180,000. — Passed, 6-0
- Request of the Housing Authority for City Council to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of up to $23,500,000 Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to provide financing for Lakeshore Villas to satisfy Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, with no City financial obligation associated with the bonds or any debt taken on by the developer. — Passed, 6-0
- Request of the Housing Authority for City Council to adopt a resolution approving the issuance of up to $12,775,000 Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to provide financing for Laurel Wood apartments to satisfy Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code, with no City financial obligation associated with the bonds or any debt taken on by the developer. — Passed, 6-0
- Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with Cityzen Solutions, Inc. d/b/a Public Input, for community engagement software. — Passed, 6-0
- Public hearing to consider the conditional zoning of 1 Angle Street and 10 Kitchin Place from Community Business II District to Commercial Expansion - Conditional Zone. — Passed, 4-2

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgMfGWW4baE
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1447/segments
- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/live/G-6imLY-Mpo?si=0CKZxyZvgiaoh29e

## Documents

- [Consent H - Housing Authority - Laurel Wood.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4400)
- [Consent A - Minutes - Formal Meeting.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4435)
- [Consent E - School Resource Officers Agrmt.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4412)
- [Consent C - Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Audit Contract.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4420)
- [Consent J - PEAK Academy ARPA.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4392)
- [agenda_2024-03-12.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4340)
- [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4378)
- [Public Hearing A - Presentation - 10 Kitchin Pl - Kessler Hotel.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4349)
- [Consent G - Housing Authority Bond- Lakeshore Villas .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4403)
- [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4385)
- [Consent K  - Tax Releases and Refunds  (7).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4388)
- [New A - Presentation - Boosting the Block and Community Facilitator.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4354)
- [Public Comment - David Moritz.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4369)
- [Consent A - Minutes - Retreat.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4439)
- [Consent F - Carrier Park Playground .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4408)
- [New A - Community Facilitator Contract  (1).pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4427)
- [Public Hearing A - 10 Kitchin Pl - Kessler Hotel.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4431)
- [Presentations A - Manager's Report.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4374)
- [Consent B - Public Input Contract.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4424)
- [Consent I - Riverfront Commission.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4396)
- [Consent D - Work Planning & Tracking Software.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4416)
- [minutes_2024-03-12.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1935?document=4345)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-mar-12-2024/)
- [Agenda Briefing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1v51sf1WnawQfQ2fo4mgwJcuQz60bcJuF?usp=drive_link)
- [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KQ1DkA5nwvwJTq4ULT9bWQnz8cg_dJ6O/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KP47Vb4oinemweKdY7JtULCuQ0vIqtf8/view?usp=drive_link)
- [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/b5587)
- [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)