City Council Agenda Briefing (Virtual) (Mar 5, 2026)

Okay, here's a comprehensive recap of the Asheville City Council meetings held on March 5th and 10th, 2026, designed for citizen understanding.

Overall Summary: The Asheville City Council held two meetings – an agenda briefing on March 5th and a combined budget worksession and regular meeting on March 10th. Discussions centered around the city's finances, upcoming agenda items, and key community issues like gun violence and housing. Several significant decisions were made regarding infrastructure projects, budget adjustments, and zoning changes.

Financial Matters & Budget Planning:

The Council engaged in extensive discussions regarding the city's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Early estimates indicate a potential $3.4 million decrease in general fund revenues next year, primarily due to the absence of one-time disaster loan funds received previously. To address this and ensure financial stability, the Council considered several fee adjustments:

• Fees & Charges: Proposed increases were discussed for solid waste disposal ($18 to $20), WNC Nature Center admission (resident: $2, non-resident: $3), and temporary street closures.
• Stormwater Fees: A 7.5% increase in stormwater fees was recommended (originally planned for 8.5%) to support ongoing stormwater programs and improvements.
• Water Rates: The Council continued a three-year plan for adjusting water rates to cover rising costs and fund infrastructure improvements.
• Parking Fees: Minor increases were considered for parking fees, including special event and monthly permit rates.
• Budget Worksessions: Further budget discussions are scheduled for March 24th, allowing for potential adjustments.

Infrastructure & Development Projects:

A significant portion of the meetings focused on key infrastructure projects and development proposals:

• William DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant: The Council approved a $145,000 amendment to the contract with GHD Engineering for construction phase management services related to replacing aging chemical tanks and potentially adding new storage tanks.
• Police Vehicle Upgrades: The Council approved a contract for $606,638.39 with Global Public Safety LLC to install police equipment and lighting on 45 new Asheville Police Department vehicles.
• Azalea Park Recovery (Hurricane Helene): The City received a grant from the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management to support recovery efforts at Azalea Park, requiring a budget amendment.
• Water Resilience Improvements: The City is pursuing funding from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to design and construct pre-treatment solutions and an alternative transmission line at the North Fork Water Treatment Plant.
• Crime Gun Intelligence Center (CGIC): The Council approved a resolution to apply for a Department of Justice grant to implement a Crime Gun Intelligence Center.
• Small Business Infrastructure Grant (Enka Commerce Park): The Council approved a resolution to apply for a grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce to extend a sewer line in Enka Commerce Park.
• Rezoning Requests (Sarids Rd & N. Louisiana Ave): The Council unanimously approved conditional rezoning requests for two properties:
  • 230 Sarids Rd (Enplas America Inc.): Rezoned to allow for a four-to-five story, 180-unit multi-family building.
  • 383 N. Louisiana Ave: Rezoned to allow for an 89-unit affordable housing apartment building.
• Housing Plan Amendment: The Council unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s Consolidated Plan, prioritizing affordable rental construction to address identified housing needs.

Community & Governance:

Beyond financial and infrastructure matters, the Council addressed several community-focused items:

• Statement on Gun Violence: The Council issued a joint statement addressing recent incidents of gun violence in Asheville, emphasizing community safety and cooperation with law enforcement.
• Red Cross Month Proclamation: The Council officially recognized March as Red Cross Month and presented a proclamation.
• Consent Agenda Items: The Council unanimously approved several consent agenda items, including approving meeting minutes from previous meetings, rescinding a loan for an affordable housing project (due to changes in the developer's plans), authorizing signature authority for environmental reviews, extending a contract with Marathon Health (employee health clinic) and approving an amendment to a contract for the DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant.
• Alcoholic Beverage Commission Pay Range: The Council approved an updated pay range for the Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s General Manager.
• Budget Calendar Adjustment: A minor adjustment to the budget calendar was made.

Key Action Items & Follow-Ups:

• GHD Engineering to proceed with construction phase management services.
• Global Public Safety LLC to begin outfitting police vehicles.
• City staff to continue working with FEMA, NC Emergency Management, and other funding sources on recovery projects.
• City staff to evaluate CDBG-DR Action Plan and develop a process for allocating reserved funds toward a resilience hub network.
• APD to continue engaging with the community about program enhancements made possible by grant funds.
• Parking space clarification to be resolved regarding the 383 N. Louisiana Ave development.
• Applicant team to explore sidewalk widening along North Louisiana Avenue and Hazel Mill.
• Developer required to record a Declaration of Restrictions outlining affordability terms before receiving a Certificate of Occupancy.

What Residents Should Know:

• The city is actively working on its budget, and residents can expect further discussions in the coming weeks.
• Several fees are proposed to increase, including those for solid waste disposal, stormwater management, and parking.
• The city is committed to addressing housing affordability through initiatives like the Consolidated Plan amendment and approval of new affordable housing developments.
• Significant investments are being made in infrastructure, including upgrades to the water treatment plant and improvements related to hurricane recovery.

Accessing More Information: All meeting minutes, agendas, and supporting documents are available on the City of Asheville’s website: https://www.ashevillenc.gov/