Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee July 29, 2026

Buncombe County Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee Meeting Recap Date: July 29, 2026

The Buncombe County Pedestrian Plan Steering Committee convened on July 29, 2026, to review the progress of the county’s pedestrian infrastructure planning. Attendees included steering committee members, project consultants from McAdams, Equinox, and Longhorn County, as well as staff from the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The primary focus of the session was the presentation of technical "cut sheets" for ten core pedestrian projects located on high-injury, high-volume corridors. Consultants distinguished these core projects from supporting and additional projects, outlining facility recommendations that generally favored multi-use side paths separated from traffic, with sidewalks reserved for areas with severe space constraints.

During the technical review, consultants walked the committee through specific corridors, including Smoky Park Highway, Brevard Road, and Hendersonville Road, noting various topographical and regulatory constraints. A significant portion of the discussion centered on design standards and funding mechanisms. Committee members and staff debated the differences between "ideal" cross-sections, which often included both multi-use paths and sidewalks, and "constrained" options. Key topics included the strategic listing of facility types to maximize funding eligibility, the integration of new residential and commercial developments into project documentation, and the clarification of NCDOT standards regarding buffers and costs.

Public commenters provided detailed feedback on the proposed infrastructure designs. Megan McCrary, a Swannanoa resident, questioned the strategic value of listing both multi-use paths and sidewalks for the Old US 70 project, asking if this approach might preclude funding for simpler sidewalk-only solutions. Kara Wheeler of Strong Towns Asheville raised concerns regarding universal accessibility, noting that project visuals lacked representation for wheelchair users, and highlighted safety gaps, such as the lack of sidewalk extension to bus stops on Hendersonville Road. Wheeler also proposed a pedestrian cut-through across Biltmore Estate lands via the I-40 right-of-way to bypass existing infrastructure deficits.

In response to community input, consultants and MPO staff agreed to several specific follow-up actions. Rachel Bronson and Christy Carter of McAdams agreed to review whether the sidewalk on Hendersonville Road could be extended to the bus stop intersection and to determine if listing both facility types for Old US 70 is strategically sound for funding. Tristan Winkler of the French Broad River MPO agreed to clarify if the Smoky Park Highway cross-section should be reconsidered for the south side depending on the funding source. Additionally, the consultants agreed to add notes regarding new development to the Smoky Park Highway documentation and to include an appendix detailing typical NCDOT cross-sections to clarify standards.

No formal votes or motions were taken during this meeting, as the committee’s role was to review information and provide feedback ahead of the plan’s scheduled adoption by the County Commission in November 2026. The consultants confirmed that a public meeting for the Swannanoa area is scheduled for August 26, with a separate presentation potentially occurring in September. This review process ensures that the final pedestrian plan accurately reflects community safety needs, funding realities, and design standards before final legislative approval.