Special Meeting: Neighborhood Advisory Committee (In-Person) (Jan 12, 2026)

Neighborhood Advisory Committee Meeting Recap: January 12, 2026

On January 12th, the Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) held a special in-person meeting to discuss key issues impacting Asheville’s neighborhoods. The NAC, representing various community sectors within the city, convened to address vacancies, review recovery board updates, and explore ways to improve communication with residents. This recap summarizes the key takeaways from the meeting, outlining what was decided, what was discussed, and what actions are planned moving forward.

Key Decisions & Appointments: The meeting began with the approval of both the agenda and minutes from a previous meeting, ensuring proper order and record-keeping. A significant decision was made to formally appoint Trevor Schmidt and Charles Kroll as the NAC representatives on a stakeholder group working with Kittleson and Associates, consultants leading an effort to reform the city’s traffic calming policy. This appointment signifies a vital opportunity for neighborhood voices to shape future transportation planning within Asheville.

Discussion Highlights: Traffic Calming, Recovery Boards & City Resources: A major portion of the meeting centered on the ongoing effort to reform Asheville’s traffic calming policy. Anna Sexton from the Transportation Department provided an update, and the appointment of Schmidt and Kroll highlighted the committee’s commitment to actively participating in this process. Updates were also provided from Dowah Hitch regarding the Infrastructure, Economy, Housing, and People & Environment Recovery Boards. A notable point of discussion was the Housing Recovery Board’s consideration of reallocating funds from affordable multifamily housing to single-family homeowner repairs, a decision that will be subject to public comment and ultimately decided by City Council. Finally, the committee explored ways to better utilize city resources like the Asheville App (AVL) and Simplicity 2, emphasizing their value for reporting issues, accessing development information, and receiving targeted alerts.

Community Input: Website Updates & Simplicity 2 Concerns: Sharon Summerall, a former NAC member and representative from the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods, offered valuable public comment. She stressed the importance of updating the city website with current neighborhood registration information to improve communication during emergencies and encourage re-engagement. She also raised concerns about the current functionality challenges of Simplicity 2, a platform many residents rely on.

Action Items & What's Next: Several key action items emerged from the meeting, ensuring progress on identified priorities. City staff will now focus on targeted outreach to underrepresented neighborhoods to fill current NAC vacancies, prioritizing diversity within the committee. They will also reach out to the Housing Recovery Board and City Council regarding opportunities for public comment on the proposed fund reallocation. Furthermore, staff will explore options for targeted advertising and recruitment to address vacancies and continue working with consultants on the traffic calming policy reform. Finally, staff will investigate ways to improve communication from recovery boards to the NAC, ensuring information is shared effectively. A tentative meeting date of March 16th at 6:00 PM was set to discuss a specific topic needing discussion.

Why This Matters to You: The NAC plays a crucial role in representing the interests of Asheville’s neighborhoods. This meeting demonstrated their commitment to addressing key issues like traffic safety, affordable housing, and effective communication with residents. By actively participating in the traffic calming policy reform and working to fill vacancies within the NAC, the committee is striving to create a more vibrant, equitable, and responsive city for all. Residents are encouraged to utilize the city's resources like AVL Alerts and Simplicity 2, and to stay informed about upcoming opportunities for public comment on important decisions impacting their communities.