# City Council Meeting (In-Person) (Oct 13, 2026) **Body:** City of Asheville — City Council **Date:** October 13, 2026 5:00 PM EDT (2026-10-13T17:00:00-04:00) **Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047 ## Summary **Meeting Overview** The Asheville City Council convened for an in-person meeting on October 13, 2026. The session covered proclamations, consent agenda items, public hearings for zoning changes, and updates on various city initiatives, including stormwater management and homelessness prevention. **Key Decisions and Votes** The Council adopted proclamations recognizing Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month and National Diabetes Awareness Month by voice vote. Regarding landscape maintenance contracts, the Council approved two agreements with Rivertop Contracting, Inc., for riverfront and downtown park maintenance. The vote was 6-1, with Councilmember Hess dissenting. The approval included a specific condition limiting the contracts to one year without automatic renewal options, directing the City Manager to report back before any future renewals are considered. The Council unanimously approved the conditional zoning for a Habitat for Humanity project at 999 Tri Street/990 West Chapel Road, rezoning the property to RS-8 Conditional Zone for 23 affordable units. The Council also unanimously approved the conditional zoning for a new Costco warehouse at 264/274 Inka Heritage Parkway/1455 Sand Hill Road, including a friendly amendment allowing specific signage dimensions. Additionally, the Council unanimously approved a substantial amendment to the HOME-American Rescue Plan (ARP) Allocation Plan and authorized the acceptance of $6 million in funding from Destination Home for the "Right at Home" homelessness prevention initiative. A budget amendment of $265,000 for downtown business support and seasonal decor, an interlocal agreement with Black Mountain for leaf disposal, and the issuance of up to $9,750,000 in multifamily housing revenue bonds for 319 Biltmore B. were also adopted unanimously. **Discussion Highlights** Debate focused heavily on the landscape maintenance contracts, with Councilmember Hess questioning the necessity of outsourcing when Parks and Recreation is fully funded. Hess stated, "I think that we have some just basic questions that need answering... The information presented in the staff report had no information. It didn't tell us why we were renewing this... They did not show us a comparison of the cost of doing this work internally versus outsourcing it." Regarding the Costco project, Mayor Manheimer emphasized the scarcity of suitable sites, noting, "We simply do not have a lot of spaces that can facilitate this type of enterprise... It has to be close to a highway, it has to be able to get semi-tractor trailers in and out of it." Shannon Simpson, Stormwater Regulatory Manager, described the multi-year Stormwater Asset Inventory and Assessment Project, stating, "The comprehensive assessment gives us a roadmap for where to focus our efforts by prioritizing vulnerable communities and providing strategies on how to integrate nature-based solutions into plans for system upgrades." **Community Input** Public commenters provided testimony during the zoning hearings and general public comment periods. For the Habitat for Humanity project, Norma Baines of the Shiloh Community Association and Sophie Dixon expressed support for the affordable housing development. Opposition to the Costco project was voiced by Karen McNeil, Chair of the Urban Forestry Commission, and Sharon Summerall, a former Urban Forestry Commission member. They opposed the reduction of tree canopy preservation requirements from 15% to 13%, arguing it sets a bad precedent and results in a loss of urban trees. Mike Craighoff and Kelly Eisenhower raised concerns about traffic congestion, site selection, and safety near local schools. General public comments addressed broader city issues. Doug Curtis requested immediate interim safety measures for the Amboy Bridge bike path, citing recent accidents. Janice Rorden urged the city to ban legal bear baiting and implement bear-resistant trash containers. Rachel Cohen criticized the audit of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) data, stating, "The only information we know about these searches is that a reason was given... Who conducted these searches? We have no idea... Are you 100% confident that none of the unidentified external agencies used this information to racially profile Asheville residents?" **Follow-ups and Next Steps** The City Manager was directed to report back to the Council before deciding on the renewal of the landscape maintenance contracts. For the HOME-ARP funds, the City Manager was directed to produce a public report detailing expenditures, households served, and outcomes. Councilmember Hess stated he would bring the issue of bear baiting and trash containers to the Public Safety Subcommittee for discussion. Staff indicated they were seeking information on the timeline and solution for the Amboy Bridge path safety issue to provide an update, though no specific timeline was recorded. ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3e1oN6oXN4 - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2163/segments ## Documents - [PZC Recommendation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14558) - [August.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14534) - [ Exhibit B.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14537) - [Exhibit E.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14540) - [Ordinance 3921.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14542) - [PZC Recommendation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14546) - [Exhibit A.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14548) - [Draft PZC Action Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14559) - [Exhibit E.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14553) - [overall scope.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14532) - [Ordinance 4612.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14555) - [This location map is of 319 Biltmore B Avenue in Asheville, N.C.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14531) - [Consent A - 9-22-26 Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14202) - [Consent A - 9-24-26 Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14203) - [Consent E - Downtown Grounds Maintenance .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14194) - [New A - Presentation - Right at Home Implementation Grant .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14184) - [Memo - Follow-Up.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14183) - [Consent D - Riverfront Grounds Maintenance.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14193) - [Exhibit A.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14535) - [Consent F - Housing Authority Issuance of Bonds.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14195) - [Agenda - Spanish.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14187) - [Consent C - ILA for Leaf Management.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14196) - [Public Comment - Doug Kurtis Safety Slides.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14186) - [Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14188) - [Manager's Report - Presentation - Stormwater.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14189) - [Consent G - Tax Releases and Refunds .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14198) - [Technical Review Committee Staff Report.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14556) - [Public Hearing B - CZ - Costco.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14190) - [New A - Right at Home Implementation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14199) - [Unfinished A - HOME-ARP Substantial Amendment.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14200) - [Public Hearing B - Presentation - CZ Amdt - Enka Heritage Parkway & Sand Hill Road.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14191) - [Public Hearing A - CZ Amdt 99999 Tried Street & 990 W Chapel Road.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14201) - [Public Hearing B - Presentation - Applicant's Costco Slides .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14185) - [Public Hearing A - Presentation - CZ 99999 Tried Street_CC Presentation.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14192) - [PZC Staff Report](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14545) - [Draft Ordinance](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14554) - [Asheville Rides Transit - Mobile Fare Feasibility.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14529) - [Exhibit A1.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14549) - [overall scope.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14533) - [Exhibit D.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14552) - [Staff has prepared this high-level overview.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14528) - [Exhibit C.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14538) - [action_agenda_2026-10-13.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14182) - [Exhibit A1.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14536) - [recent (2025) study.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14530) - [Exhibit D.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14539) - [Consent B - ADID Projects/Sales Tax.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14197) - [Exhibit B.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14550) - [PZC Staff Report.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14557) - [Ordinance 4995.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14543) - [Technical Review Committee Staff Report.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14544) - [Draft PZC Action Minutes.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14547) - [Exhibit C.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14551) - [Draft Ordinance.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/3047?document=14541) ## Sources - [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/city-council-meeting-in-person-oct-13-2026/) - [Resolutions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ov2iBFj3gN0oCKRdwnepk5RIKNGt66Y1/view?usp=drive_link) - [Ordinances](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rFvFPV7k2Kj16Y2nkZm6Xmr-o8i-UISR/view?usp=drive_link) - [Public Input](https://publicinput.com/g1267) - [City Council agenda page](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/city-council-agenda/)