Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (Nov 18, 2025)

Recap of Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee Meeting - November 18, 2025

The Planning, Economic Development and Environment (PEDE) Committee convened virtually on November 18, 2025, chaired by Council Member Ullman, with attendance from Council Members Turner and Roney. The meeting’s primary focus was on reviewing regional economic trends, discussing workforce development initiatives, and addressing community concerns related to climate action. The meeting was streamed live on the City of Asheville’s YouTube channel, as per standard practice.

The committee began by approving the minutes from their previous meeting on October 21, 2025. A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to a presentation from Rachel Taylor and Nathan Ramsey, representing the Land of Sky Regional Council, providing an overview of regional workforce development efforts. This presentation highlighted initiatives like Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, the Career and College Promise (Dual Enrollment), registered apprenticeships, and the "My Future NC" initiative aimed at achieving 1.2 million post-secondary credentials by 2030, emphasizing collaboration between education, community, government and business. The presentation also painted a picture of a growing region facing challenges related to wage disparity, housing affordability, and workforce development.

Public comment was provided by a representative from the Sunrise Movement WNC, who expressed concerns that the City of Asheville's current climate action efforts, as outlined in the Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP), are not ambitious enough to meet the community's goal of 100% renewable energy by 2042. They urged the City to significantly ramp up its climate action efforts, prioritize community-wide changes over internal government sustainability efforts, and increase transparency regarding project status and progress measurement. They requested a meeting with the PEDE committee to further discuss these issues.

The committee also received an update on the Asheville/Buncombe County economy, referencing data presented in previous meetings. Earlier discussions (October 21st) centered on requests for more detailed economic data, particularly regarding employment sectors and the potential correlation between out-migration and unemployment. Staff responded by providing links to relevant reports and indicators, while acknowledging the need for more specific questions to facilitate deeper analysis. The committee also discussed the impact of short-term rentals on housing availability, referencing a Mosaic Realty report indicating a correlation between increased rental vacancy and higher housing supply.

Looking ahead, the PEDE Committee plans to address topics including an update on the Urban Forestry Master Plan, resilience planning efforts, the ART Place project, a C-PACE presentation, and recommendations for Small Business Support Program partners. The committee will continue to monitor economic data and workforce development initiatives, with a focus on addressing the challenges identified in regional reports and responding to community concerns regarding climate action.