Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (Aug 19, 2025)

Meeting Overview The City of Asheville’s Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee held a virtual meeting on August 19, 2025. The agenda focused on information sharing regarding downtown revitalization strategies and the implementation of federal disaster recovery funds. The committee reviewed proposals for activating the downtown area, received an update on the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Small Business Support program, and approved the minutes from the previous meeting.

Key Decisions The only formal vote taken during the meeting was the unanimous approval of the minutes from the July 15, 2025 meeting. No other formal votes or binding decisions were recorded. While the committee expressed a strong interest in moving forward with a combined plan for downtown activation, including a potential pilot program for late-night food trucks, these items were treated as information sharing and discussion rather than final policy approvals.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation on the Downtown Activation Alliance’s (ADA) proposed strategies. Staff outlined five potential approaches: establishing social districts for alcohol consumption in public areas, streamlining permits for outdoor special events, adjusting parking policies (such as voucher programs or Sunday meter waivers), easing regulations for food trucks, and modifying the noise ordinance. Staff confirmed that an event-based social district model is legally feasible in North Carolina. Councilwoman Sage Turner emphasized the importance of acting boldly and swiftly to support downtown revitalization, while Councilmember Kim Roney stressed the need to balance business needs with neighborhood concerns, particularly regarding noise levels.

Additionally, James Shelton provided an update on the CDBG-DR Small Business Support program, a $17 million initiative funded by HUD to help businesses recover from Tropical Storm Helene. He noted that the city is on track to begin implementing the program later this year, with partnerships established with the Asheville Chamber and Go Local to gather community input. Jessica Morris, Assistant Director of Transportation, presented on current parking policies, and John Philman, Community Events Manager, provided an update on the Open Streets program.

Community Input Public comment was accepted via a virtual engagement hub and phone-in options. The provided documents include a written public comment from the Sunrise Movement WNC, which expressed concern that the committee had not sufficiently prioritized climate change mitigation despite a prior City Council resolution declaring a climate emergency. The group requested regular updates on renewable energy goals, a review of how Helene recovery funds are used for climate mitigation, and the implementation of policies such as Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) and EV charging requirements. The transcript summary does not indicate that any members of the public spoke verbally during the meeting, nor does it report any specific verbal responses from committee members to the written comment.

Follow-ups Staff agreed to continue gathering community input and refining details for the Small Business Support Program. They also committed to preparing a package of recommendations—including options for social districts and Open Streets—to present to the full City Council. Staff will explore options for supporting workers and incentivizing local visits to downtown, potentially incorporating these ideas into the budget process. Additionally, staff will continue working to streamline permitting processes for event organizers and will maintain engagement with the Noise Advisory Board to understand their processes and recommendations.

Impact This meeting highlights the city’s ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Asheville and support local economic recovery following Tropical Storm Helene. The discussion of social districts, parking adjustments, and food truck regulations aims to increase foot traffic and support local businesses. The update on the CDBG-DR program confirms that federal funds are being directed toward a $17 million small business support initiative, which will provide grants, loans, and technical assistance to help the local business sector recover.