Asheville City Council Meeting Recap: January 27, 2026

The Asheville City Council held a formal meeting on January 27, 2026, to address a wide range of municipal matters, including disaster recovery funding, zoning changes, and employee labor practices. The meeting was held in the morning due to a postponement of the Point-in-Time Count. Councilwoman Sage Turner was absent due to travel complications. The Council unanimously approved a proclamation honoring International Holocaust Remembrance Day and approved the consent agenda, which included routine items and several resolutions related to ongoing recovery efforts.

Key Decisions and Votes The Council voted 6-0 to pass a public hearing resolution to consider a performance-based economic development incentive grant for Project Vessel, a local ceramic dinnerware and home goods company. The grant, up to $35,000 over three years, is contingent on the company meeting specific job creation and investment benchmarks. Additionally, the Council voted 6-0 to rezone 22 Broad Street from the RM-8 Residential Multi-Family Medium Density District to the Community Business I District, aligning the property with the city’s comprehensive plan for commercial development along Broad Street.

The Council also voted 6-0 to amend Section 7-14-1 of the Unified Development Ordinance to allow existing nonconforming structures to be converted into Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) without requiring a variance from the Board of Adjustment. This change aims to streamline the process for homeowners and address housing affordability challenges. In the realm of disaster recovery, the Council passed 6-0 resolutions authorizing the City Manager to enter into subrecipient agreements with Mountain BizWorks, Venture Asheville, Arts AVL, and Eagle Market Streets Development Corporation to support small businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene.

Further 6-0 votes included a resolution directing the City Attorney to formally intervene in the North Carolina Utilities Commission Docket E-100 Sub 207 regarding Duke Energy’s Carbon Plan, a resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for grants in the Helene Recovery Fund for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, and a motion to direct staff to send the "Response to the Auditor's Findings, Recommendations, and Fiscal Matters" to the Secretary of the Department of State Treasurer. The Council also authorized the execution of an easement agreement with Marie and William Cross for a portion of right-of-way adjacent to their property at 44 Elk Mountain Ridge Road. Finally, the Council passed resolutions authorizing staff to submit formal letters to Congressional Leadership and the North Carolina delegation requesting additional Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds and federal authorization for a water system resiliency project.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a discussion regarding changes to the ordinance for firefighter grievance processes. Welker Taylor, President of the Asheville Firefighters Association, and Scott Mullins, State President of the Professional Firefighters & Paramedics, advocated for the change, emphasizing its historical context and importance to fair labor practices. The Council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 3 of the Code of Ordinances to specify permitted personnel representation, allowing employees to be accompanied by an attorney and a designated "Support Person" during grievance hearings.

The Council also received the Asheville Downtown Improvement District (ADID) Annual Report from Kevin Frazier, Chair of the ADID Board, and Hayden Plemons, ADID Executive Director, who highlighted the district's accomplishments in cleaning, safety, and placemaking. The Manager’s Report included a presentation on Black History Month celebrations for 2026. During the budgetary discussion, Councilwoman Kim Roney raised concerns about the potential impact of budget amendments on the city’s fund balance and the need for a comprehensive approach to compensation planning during the 2027 budget cycle. Mayor Esther Manheimer emphasized the importance of supporting city employees while acknowledging the challenges posed by the current budget situation.

Community Input Alan Baumgarten, representing the Asheville JCC and Beth Israel Congregation, delivered a moving acceptance speech for the Holocaust Remembrance Day proclamation, honoring his parents' experiences as Holocaust survivors. Casey Gilbert of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce thanked the Council for supporting business recovery efforts and praised the collaboration that led to funding initiatives.

Follow-ups The City Manager was tasked with working with partners to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing employee compensation during the 2027 budget cycle. Staff will send the "Response to the Auditor's Findings" to the Secretary of the Department of State Treasurer after obtaining signatures from a majority of City Council members. Staff will also submit formal letters to Congressional Leadership and the North Carolina delegation regarding disaster recovery funding and water system improvements. The City Manager is authorized to execute the various agreements and apply for grants related to the topics listed above, subject to approval by the City Attorney. The budget public comment period was rescheduled from February 10 to February 24.