Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (May 11, 2026)

Recap of Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee Meeting – May 11, 2026

The Planning, Economic Development and Environment (PEDE) Committee held a virtual meeting on May 11, 2026, focusing on strategies for economic recovery and addressing the growing need for emergency shelter capacity within Asheville. The meeting, attended by Councilmembers Sage Turner and Kim Roney, along with key city staff including Ben Woody (Assistant City Manager), Carly Gillingham (Assistant City Attorney), Nikki Reed (Community and Economic Development Director), Rachel Taylor (Economic Development Division Manager), and Emily Ball (Homeless Strategies Division Manager), centered around leveraging Disaster Recovery (DR) funding to support these critical initiatives. No formal votes were taken during the meeting; rather, it served as a forum for discussion and information sharing.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing an "Economic Development Strategic Action Plan." Rachel Taylor presented a detailed plan designed to utilize DR funding in a proactive and impactful way, moving beyond traditional planning approaches. The proposed plan aims to increase the city's operational effectiveness by focusing on tactical projects, updating policies, improving incentive programs, and developing business support tools. Recognizing the significant economic losses experienced due to past disasters (estimated at $4.5-5 billion), the plan seeks to clearly define Asheville's role in economic development and complement regional efforts. Councilwoman Roney raised concerns about the plan’s timing relative to other ongoing recovery initiatives, while Councilwoman Turner emphasized the importance of a proactive approach to strategic redevelopment. The committee agreed on a phased engagement process with Council, including a facilitated work session to ensure strategic alignment early in the plan's development. The final plan is expected in Fall 2027, with ongoing feedback from Council throughout the process.

The committee also addressed the pressing issue of homelessness, particularly exacerbated by the Helene disaster which resulted in a 50% increase in unsheltered individuals. Emily Ball presented a proposal to secure funding for a contracted project manager who will develop a comprehensive emergency shelter plan. This initiative aligns with the Continuum of Care (CoC)’s priorities and aims to create a "shovel-ready" project by the end of 2027. Councilmembers expressed strong support for addressing this critical need, discussing the potential integration of day services and other supportive resources into shelter designs. The COC’s Emergency Shelter Development Work Group will be invited to present their findings to the PEDE Committee in a future meeting.

While no public comments were received during this particular meeting, the committee briefly previewed upcoming agenda items for future consideration. These include updates on the Transit Comprehensive Operations Analysis, the Buncombe County Arts and Culture Plan, Resilience Hubs, and Downtown Activation efforts.

Key Takeaways & Next Steps:

• The PEDE Committee will engage in ongoing discussions with city staff regarding the Economic Development Strategic Action Plan, ensuring Council input throughout its development.
• The City will pursue funding to hire a contracted project manager dedicated to developing an Emergency Shelter Development Plan.
• The COC’s Emergency Shelter Development Work Group will present their findings to the PEDE Committee at a future meeting.
• Staff will explore options for providing Council with sufficient notice and materials to review the Transit Comprehensive Operations Analysis maps prior to a formal agenda item.

This meeting underscored the city's commitment to addressing economic challenges and supporting vulnerable populations through strategic planning and targeted investments, ultimately aiming to build a more resilient and equitable Asheville.