City Council Meeting (In-Person) (Sep 8, 2026)

Asheville City Council Meeting Recap Date: September 8, 2026 Body: City Council

The Asheville City Council convened for an in-person meeting on September 8, 2026, focusing on routine approvals, capital project updates, and significant policy changes regarding tenant protections. The session included the adoption of the Consent Agenda, a quarterly report on capital projects, and a first reading of a new ordinance designed to protect tenants from unsafe living conditions. The meeting concluded with public comments addressing housing quality, wildlife management, and public safety, alongside several staff follow-up commitments.

The Council approved the Consent Agenda, which included authorizing contracts for the Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan update, a master plan for the Deaverview neighborhood, and various grant applications for disaster recovery and transit infrastructure. Notably, the Vice Mayor was recused from Item E, which authorized a contract with City Collective, LLC, to develop a master plan for city-owned land in the Deaverview neighborhood. Mayor Manheimer described this as a partnership to create affordable, mixed-income housing with educational amenities. The Council also approved a budget amendment to cover $4.2 million in Tropical Storm Helene recovery expenses and fund a temporary skating rink project. Additionally, permission was granted for the possession and consumption of beer and wine at the upcoming Oktoberfest event.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a Capital Projects Update provided by Walter Ear, Director of Capital and Asset Management. The report highlighted nine completed projects totaling nearly $46 million from the previous year. Key ongoing initiatives included $11.3 million in immediate repairs for city garages, which will be phased to maintain parking availability, and design-phase work on the Eagle and Market Street enhancements. Other updates covered the Broadway Public Safety Station art project, Greenway Connectors, and riverfront recovery projects, with public engagement scheduled for later in the fall.

The Council adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 4 of the City Code to add protections for tenants against unsafe dwelling conditions. The measure makes it unlawful for landlords to collect rent after a city inspector issues an order declaring a dwelling unfit for human habitation. The motion passed on the first reading, though City Attorney Brad Branham noted that because the ordinance carries potential criminal penalties, it requires a supermajority. If it fails to gain that threshold, a second reading would be required. Mayor Manheimer stated, "I think that being poor should not be a death sentence in Asheville. I think that poor people too have a right to safe housing and dignity in their housing."

Public comment featured extensive discussion on housing quality, bear management, and homelessness. Residents from the Asheville Area Tenants Union and anonymous renters shared stories of unsafe conditions, such as mold and broken elevators, arguing the new ordinance is necessary to hold negligent landlords accountable. Property managers supported holding bad actors accountable but urged caution to distinguish them from responsible landlords dealing with emergencies. Other residents advocated for a "Bear Wise Asheville" initiative, calling for mandatory bear-resistant trash containers and stronger enforcement to prevent bear euthanasia. Concerns were also raised about the growing unhoused population in West Asheville and transit policies regarding bus connections.

Several staff follow-ups were explicitly agreed to during the meeting. Mayor Manheimer and Council Member Hess indicated the City needs to coordinate with the NC Wildlife Commission regarding the bear situation and look into ordinances regarding feeding bears, while Council Member Roney requested an update on the backlog for bear-resistant trash cans. Council Member Hess requested that the homelessness issue in West Asheville be placed on the agenda for every Public Safety meeting until it is under control and requested information on shelter fund spending. The City Manager and Mayor indicated they would follow up to evaluate resources for the Haw Creek Park invasive species removal project. Additionally, Council Member Sage Turner suggested the Housing and Community Development committee could take up the conversation on mold regulations in the future.