Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (Feb 17, 2026)

On February 17, 2026, the City of Asheville’s Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee held a virtual meeting to review development data, discuss major planning updates, and consider support for a new commercial financing program. The agenda included the approval of previous minutes, a quarterly staff update on development and permitting, an overview of the proposed Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) updates, and a presentation on the Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (CPACE) program.

The committee took two formal votes during the session. First, Kim Roney moved to approve the minutes from the January 20, 2026 meeting, a motion seconded by Sage Turner that passed unanimously (3-0). Second, Kim Roney moved to recommend approving staff’s request to adopt a resolution in support of action taken by the Buncombe County Commission authorizing county-wide participation in the CPACE program; this motion also passed unanimously (3-0). The CPACE program, ratified by North Carolina Senate Bill 802 in July 2024, allows commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily property owners (with five or more units) to access long-term private financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and resilience projects.

Staff provided a detailed quarterly update on development and permitting, noting that while construction costs remain high due to labor and material factors, the volume of construction activity remains consistent and strong. The update highlighted a significant housing gap, estimating that Asheville needs over 6,000 additional rental units, and noted a high vacancy rate with approximately 15,000 vacant housing units in the city. Staff indicated that these data points will inform the upcoming technical refresh of the Comprehensive Plan and the full rewrite of the UDO, which aims to align development regulations with community goals for housing production, resilience, sustainability, and mobility. The timeline for these updates spans from 2025 to 2028, with a goal of having a contract signed for external expertise by late May 2026.

During the discussion on the Comprehensive Plan and UDO updates, committee members emphasized the importance of addressing housing affordability and anti-displacement strategies. There was a strong desire to involve the full City Council in guiding efforts related to "missing middle" housing and integrating anti-displacement measures into the new regulations. Additionally, members expressed interest in organizing a developer forum to gather input on housing development challenges. Staff committed to refining data collection methods, particularly regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and to providing a deeper dive into housing pipeline data, including information on affordability investments.

The meeting concluded with a public comment period, though the transcript summary does not report any specific remarks from members of the public. Following the meeting, the committee’s recommendation to support the CPACE program is scheduled to go to the full City Council for a formal resolution vote on February 24, 2026. Staff also noted that a workshop is scheduled for March 18, 2026, to educate property owners about the CPACE program. The committee’s work on the Comprehensive Plan and UDO will continue with a phased approach, prioritizing equitable public engagement and clear communication of the updated regulations.