City Council Meeting (Jun 23, 2026)

Recap of Asheville City Council Meeting - June 23, 2026

The Asheville City Council convened on June 23, 2026, for a comprehensive meeting addressing a broad range of municipal matters. The session included proclamations, public comments, resolutions, votes, and the assignment of several action items. The meeting was structured with a worksession beginning at 3:00 PM and the formal council meeting commencing at 5:00 PM.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing infrastructure challenges stemming from Tropical Storm Helene, which impacted the city in September 2024. The council approved resolutions authorizing contracts with Kimley-Horn and Associates, ECS Southeast, LLC, and Rummel, Klepper & Kahl, LLP for design and engineering services related to landslide repairs across multiple locations. These approvals included substantial budget amendments totaling millions of dollars, with the expectation that a significant portion will be reimbursed through federal and state funding. Alongside these approvals, the council also approved a budget amendment to allocate funds for Hagarty Consulting's ongoing recovery management services.

Beyond storm-related matters, the council recognized July as Asheville Parks and Recreation Month, honoring long-standing employees of the department. A resolution supporting "Lenny's Law" (Leonard Antonelli, Jacob Hill, and Alex Rosos Bicycle Safety Zone Act) was approved following public comment advocating for increased safety measures. The council also took action on a consent agenda encompassing approvals for various contracts, budget adjustments, and event permits. A notable decision was the approval of a development and sales agreement for 42 affordable townhomes at 29 Oak Hill Drive, which sparked discussion and concerns from neighborhood residents regarding traffic and potential impacts on quality of life.

The council also approved a moratorium on new data center development, citing concerns about the impact of these facilities on utilities, neighboring properties, and a lack of existing regulations. Planning staff will lead a four-phase process to develop zoning classifications for data centers during the one-year moratorium. Finally, several appointments and reappointment decisions were made to various boards and commissions, with some positions requiring further consideration.

Next Steps & Future Meetings: The City Council will continue to work on developing regulations for data centers during the moratorium period. The public hearing regarding rezoning of 3 S. Tunnel Road has been continued to July 28, 2026. Citizens are encouraged to review the full meeting video and minutes available on the city's website for detailed information.