Special Meeting: Neighborhood Advisory Committee (In-Person) (Jun 2, 2026)

Meeting Overview The Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) held a special in-person meeting on June 2, 2026, to address housing policy, disaster recovery efforts, and traffic management. The session included introductions of committee members, staff liaison Dawa Hitch, Neighborhood Services Specialist Trey Irby, and Councilmember Kim Roney. The primary focus was on reviewing proposed zoning amendments, discussing the reallocation of federal recovery funds, and receiving updates from various recovery boards.

Key Decisions The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting and the agenda for the current meeting without dissent. No substantive policy votes or binding decisions were made during this session. The NAC’s role was primarily advisory, with the goal of gathering feedback to inform future actions by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting focused on three proposed affordable housing amendments: eliminating parking minimums, allowing duplexes in all zoning districts, and adjusting regulations for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Committee members raised safety concerns regarding the elimination of parking minimums, specifically noting potential impacts on pedestrians, cyclists, and disabled individuals. There was general support for allowing duplexes in all districts to increase housing diversity, with discussions clarifying current zoning distinctions between multi-family (RM) and single-family (RS) districts. Members also expressed positive feedback on ADUs but raised questions about lot size requirements, lot splitting processes, and maximum allowable sizes.

The committee discussed a proposed reallocation of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBDR) funds. The city initially allocated $3 million for single-family home repairs, but this amount is insufficient for the 100+ homeowners who have applied. City Council is considering reallocating $19.2 million from other funds to increase assistance for single-family repairs, which requires a 30-day public comment period and a vote on June 23. Concerns were raised about homeowners potentially relying solely on city allocations rather than larger state housing funds.

Updates were provided by the Housing Recovery Board, People & Environment Recovery Board, and Infrastructure Recovery Board. The Housing Recovery Board noted a damage threshold of $100,000 for full teardowns and reconstruction costs estimated between $350,000 and $450,000 per property. Assistance is prioritized for households at or below 80% Area Median Income, with a focus on families with children, elderly individuals, or residents with disabilities. The People & Environment Board is reviewing an Urban Forest Master Plan, including a fee-in-lieu policy for developers, with public comments to be addressed in August. The Infrastructure Board is working to streamline traffic calming policies.

Community Input Public engagement occurred during discussions regarding the Urban Forest Master Plan, the Resilience Hub Mapping Project, and the Traffic Calving Policy. Committee members and residents shared thoughts on these topics. Regarding traffic management near a new music venue, discussions centered on how neighborhood associations can address congestion during special events through both permanent infrastructure improvements and temporary solutions.

Follow-ups City staff agreed to investigate and clarify the requirement for Asheville to reimburse the state for construction costs related to homeowner assistance programs. Staff will also gather data on the number of vacant and disrepaired homes in Asheville. A committee member agreed to pass along questions about what neighborhood associations can do during special events to relevant authorities. The input from this meeting will be shared with the Planning and Zoning Commission to inform their recommendations.

Impact This meeting highlighted the NAC’s active role in shaping Asheville’s housing policies and disaster recovery efforts. The committee’s feedback on zoning amendments and fund reallocation will directly influence recommendations to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. The upcoming City Council vote on June 23 regarding the $19.2 million reallocation is a critical next step for determining the scale of assistance available to homeowners affected by recent disasters. Residents are encouraged to participate in the 30-day public comment period for the CDBDR reallocation.