City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure (In-Person) (Jun 23, 2026)

Okay, here’s a comprehensive recap of the City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance and Infrastructure (June 23, 2026), incorporating all the provided document summaries and transcript summaries.

City Council Worksession Recap: Policy, Finance & Infrastructure – June 23, 2026

The City Council held a worksession on June 23, 2026, focusing on park renovations, anti-displacement efforts, housing initiatives, board/commission appointments, and broader planning strategies. The session aimed to inform council members and prepare for future decisions at the official City Council meeting. A significant portion of the discussion centered on balancing competing priorities like recreation, flood mitigation, environmental restoration, and community needs.

Key Discussions & Decisions:

The worksession covered a wide range of topics, with significant discussions revolving around two major park renovation projects: the French Broad Riverfront Parks Recovery Project and the Carrier Park Redevelopment. For the French Broad Riverfront Parks Recovery Project, council reviewed a unified design concept incorporating resilient infrastructure, accessible features, natural habitat restoration, and community amenities. Collaboration with NCDOT is ongoing for bridge and road improvements, with a community reveal planned for September. Regarding Carrier Park Redevelopment, discussions centered on balancing recreation, flood mitigation, and environmental restoration, with community feedback emphasizing kayak beaching and river access improvements. A 30% design phase is underway, refining cost estimates.

A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to anti-displacement and affordable housing initiatives. The council explored formalizing anti-displacement efforts through a resolution, drawing from existing plans like the Missing Middle Housing Study and Affordable Housing Plan. A draft Home Repair Policy, presented by the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC), aims to provide grants and deferred loans for eligible homeowners, sparking concerns about eligibility requirements. Development continues on a Displacement Risk Assessment Tool to identify areas at high risk of displacement and suggest mitigation strategies. Proposed zoning reforms allowing duplexes, townhomes, and ADUs in residential neighborhoods were also discussed.

The council considered a resolution related to bicycle safety (Lenny’s Law), agreeing to continue consideration at the evening meeting and directing staff to contact associated groups regarding adding Alex Rosos’ name. Strong support was expressed for allocating $100,000 to fund a five-year strategic plan related to CDBG-DR planning. Finally, the council discussed potential impacts from state legislation concerning parking minimums, which could preempt city ordinances.

Board and Commission Appointments & Demographic Profiles:

The council indicated support for reappointing all three eligible members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Discussions were held regarding filling a vacancy on the Neighborhood Advisory Committee, given infrequent meetings. A motion will be needed at the later meeting to formally appoint a new Design Review Committee member, considering diversity of expertise. The document collection included detailed profiles of applicants for the Design Review Committee and the African American Heritage Commission, providing insights into their backgrounds, qualifications, and motivations. Demographic profiles were also presented for the Planning & Zoning Commission, Historic Resources Commission, Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority, and Neighborhood Advisory Committee, highlighting the composition of these key advisory bodies.

Action Items & Next Steps:

Several action items emerged from the worksession:

• Staff will develop a draft Displacement Resolution.
• Contact group associated with Lenny’s Law regarding adding Alex Rosos' name to the resolution.
• Proceed with an RFP and contract approval for the CDBG-DR strategic plan.
• Develop a system to regularly update the community on park renovation progress (e.g., dashboard).
• Explore temporary park access solutions during renovations.
• Monitor state legislation regarding parking minimums.
• Formal votes on board and commission appointments at the official City Council meeting.
• The City Manager will receive direction on developing an anti-displacement resolution, and the PZC will vote on early housing amendments in August.
• The city is actively seeking feedback and engagement from the Legacy Neighborhoods Coalition (LNC) on key decisions.

This recap provides a comprehensive overview of the discussions, decisions (pending formal action), and next steps from the Asheville City Council Worksession on Policy, Finance & Infrastructure (June 23, 2026). The session underscored the city's commitment to addressing housing affordability and displacement, while also navigating significant infrastructure projects and ensuring diverse representation on key advisory boards.