June 5, 2025 - Hendersonville City Council Meeting

Hendersonville City Council Meeting Recap: June 5, 2025

The Hendersonville City Council convened on June 5, 2025, for a meeting largely focused on finalizing the city's budget and addressing significant zoning changes aimed at increasing housing options. The meeting, attended by all council members, included presentations from city staff, public hearings, and extensive discussions on key issues impacting the community. This recap summarizes those proceedings for Hendersonville residents.

The council's most significant action was the unanimous approval of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget. This budget maintains the current tax rate, a point of pride for Mayor Bolt, and prioritizes public safety, staff compensation, infrastructure improvements, housing initiatives, parks, sustainability efforts, transportation enhancements and support for downtown businesses. While no tax increase was implemented, modest adjustments were made to water and sewer rates (8% and 9%, respectively), alongside a $7 increase for environmental services to address staffing gaps in waste collection. A small increase ($15) was also approved for voter vehicle registration renewal, earmarked to fund improvements to streets and sidewalks. Notably, the budget incorporates funds for recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene, aiming to achieve a healthy unassigned fund balance of $7.4 million by the end of the fiscal year.

Beyond the budget, a significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussions surrounding housing and zoning. The council unanimously approved a conditional rezoning request for "Ronin at Hendersonville," a proposed 192-unit multifamily development on South Allen Road and Upper Crossing Drive. While the approval was unanimous, residents attending the public hearing voiced concerns about safety, security, and potential traffic impacts. The developer will now be required to complete a Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) to address these concerns. Further, the council approved a Zoning Text Amendment related to "Missing Middle Housing," which removes multifamily restrictions from certain zoning districts and introduces smaller-scale options like triplexes and quadplexes in residential areas. Planning Board members voiced their support for this amendment, aligning it with the city's comprehensive plan and aiming to increase housing flexibility.

Community input played a vital role in the meeting’s proceedings. Glenn Lang, representing the Hendersonville Tree Board, passionately argued against the current low “payment in lieu” fee for tree removal, contending it doesn’t accurately reflect a tree's environmental value. This concern will require further discussion by the City Council. Ken Fitch, in contrast, delivered a lengthy and appreciative speech praising the dedication and service of city staff.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified. The City Council will address a technical correction to the fee schedule regarding stormwater capital, and continue tracking progress related to the Hurricane Helene recovery plan. Discussions will also continue regarding a long-term living wage target for city employees, and the council will revisit the payment in lieu fee for tree removal to address concerns raised by the Tree Board. The next City Council meeting will be scheduled and announced on the city website, providing further opportunities for citizen engagement.

This meeting demonstrated a clear commitment from the Hendersonville City Council to address key community priorities, particularly regarding fiscal responsibility and expanding housing opportunities. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about these ongoing initiatives through the city's website and future council meetings.