City Council Meeting (Oct 27, 2026)

Meeting Overview

The City of Asheville City Council held its regular meeting on October 27, 2026. The agenda included routine consent items, informational updates on wildlife management and city finances, a public hearing on a conditional zoning amendment, and a resolution regarding the I-26 Connector Project. The meeting also featured general public comment on several local issues, including public transit, surveillance, and the preservation of university-owned land.

Key Decisions

A motion was made to adopt the consent agenda without Items B2 and J, which were pulled for separate votes; no vote on that motion is recorded in the meeting video. The Council voted to recuse Councilmember Bo Hess from Item B2 and then adopted Item B2 with no opposition, Hess not voting. Item J, concerning HIDTA grants, was adopted 6-1, with Councilmember Kim Roney voting no after restating her concerns about transparency, overlap with immigration enforcement, and surveillance.

The Council approved a conditional zoning amendment for the London Road Apartments project at 21 London Road in the River Arts District by a vote of 4-3. This approval allows for a mixed-use development with an additional four feet of height to accommodate potential future flood resilience measures. City Attorney Brad Branham clarified that development votes are excluded from the two-vote supermajority requirement, making four votes sufficient for approval.

Additionally, the Council unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter an agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). This agreement reimburses NCDOT up to $664,304 for bicycle, pedestrian, and aesthetic betterments on Section AC of the I-26 Connector Project. Mayor Esther Manheimer noted that this was the last meeting for outgoing City Clerk Maggie Burleson.

Discussion Highlights

The Council received an informational presentation from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) regarding escalating human-bear conflicts in Buncombe County. Councilmember Sage Turner asked about the health impacts of bears eating trash and how the city plans to fund recommendations like bear-resistant carts given budget constraints. NCWRC representative Ashley Hobbs stated, "I don't have the dollars. I have the knowledge. I need your dollars," emphasizing that the city had cut funding for bear-resistant carts. Councilmember Maggie Ullman expressed urgency to avoid killing bears, while Councilmember Kim Roney questioned the city’s ability to enforce existing laws before considering new penalties. Councilmember Antanette Mosley suggested partnering with the state for a bear sanctuary, but Hobbs explained that relocating bears is ineffective and unethical.

During the quarterly financial update, Councilmember Sage Turner criticized the lack of year-end projections in the first-quarter report. Staff explained that projections are typically included starting in the second quarter to avoid assumptions based on limited data. Councilmember Bo Hess suggested identifying deeper indicators of budget health, such as grant money secured and cost savings. Staff agreed to provide more detailed information on these indicators semi-annually and noted that an audit update would be provided in December.

In the public hearing for the 21 London Road project, Councilmember Antanette Mosley sought clarification on the height increase, noting the building lobby is in the floodplain. Planning staff clarified that the condition allows the building to be 85 feet tall to accommodate potential future flood resilience measures but does not require elevation. Councilmember Kim Roney expressed concern about the lack of affordable housing, to which applicant Derek Allen responded that without the disabled Land Use Incentive Grant program, affordability mandates act as a tax on other renters.

Community Input

Residents provided extensive public comment on several topics. Regarding public transit route cuts, Paul Howell argued against the cuts, stating, "Leave these routes alone and focus more on providing safe public transit." Robert Nelson stated, "I am literally alive today because of the city bus service," referencing an evacuation during Hurricane Helene. Emily Arganato criticized the city for prioritizing the Axon contract over transit funding, and Jasmine Caldwell stated, "The buses is my only choice to get around... Please listen to the working community of Asheville. Do not cut the bus lines."

On surveillance and data privacy, Bobby Skelton criticized the city’s use of license plate readers and facial recognition, stating, "When you have nothing to hide, you show receipts. When you have something to hide, you stall." Rachel Cohen raised concerns about data sharing with agencies participating in the 287(g) program.

Regarding bear management, Janice Rourdon asked the council to "restore funding for bear-resistant trash cans in the 2027 budget" and to require secure waste storage at vacation rentals. Kathy Davenport requested after-hours personnel for bear response and mandatory fees for VRBOs to fund bear-proof cans.

Concerning the preservation of UNCA Woods, Emma Botniss, a UNCA Emeritus Faculty member, highlighted the university’s plans to develop the Broadway site instead of the woods, stating, "I do not see a coherent approach in the university’s recent moves." Spencer Beals emphasized the woods' value as a "huge asset" and suggested the city take an official stance in support to encourage conservation partners.

Finally, residents thanked Maggie Burleson for her service. Paul Howell thanked her for her kindness over 10 years of attending council, and Jonathan Waynescott shared a personal story about her helping him research Newton Shepherd’s history.

Follow-ups

Ashley Hobbs of the NCWRC agreed to provide information on effective bear enforcement protocols from other communities, such as Boulder, Colorado, to staff. Staff from the Finance department agreed to provide more detailed information on budget health indicators, including grants and cost savings, semi-annually, and noted that an audit update would be provided in December. Council noted that the Save the Woods resolution is not yet on the agenda and that a meeting with the UNCA Chancellor is still to take place first. Transportation Director Ashley Hare confirmed that the agreement for the next section of the I-26 Connector Project (Haywood Road to Smoky Park Bridge) is planned for November 10.

Impact

The approval of the conditional zoning amendment for 21 London Road allows for the construction of a mixed-use development in the River Arts District, with specific conditions regarding height and flood resilience. The resolution for the I-26 Connector Project secures funding for improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, which Mayor Esther Manheimer described as an exciting part of the project. The discussions on bear management and financial reporting highlight ongoing challenges in balancing budget constraints with public safety and transparency, while the public comments underscore resident concerns regarding public transit reliability, data privacy, and the preservation of green spaces.