Board of Adjustment Meeting | Sep. 10, 2025

Buncombe County Board of Adjustment Approves Apartment Complex at "Station at River's Edge"

The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment convened on September 10, 2025, for their regularly scheduled meeting. The primary focus of the evening was a public hearing concerning a revision to the special use permit for the "Station at River's Edge" development, a proposed 270-unit apartment complex located at 101 Sumner Drive in Arden. The meeting, attended by all board members, followed standard procedural openings including the unanimous approval of minutes from the previous meeting and a review of guidelines regarding impartiality in quasi-judicial proceedings.

The core discussion centered on ZPH 2025-00018, a revised plan for the apartment complex. County staff presented an updated design that slightly modifies the previously approved plan (ZPH 2024-00018), reducing the number of buildings while increasing garage and parking spaces. The Board heard testimony from three experts: Jared DeRutter, a civil engineer who detailed the project's engineering aspects; John Palmer, a property appraiser who analyzed potential impacts on surrounding property values; and James Vosa, a traffic engineer presenting findings from an approved traffic impact study. Notably, the traffic study indicated that increased traffic volume would necessitate a left-turn lane on Glenbridge Southeast. A minor modification to the clubhouse square footage was received but deferred for further discussion with the applicant.

Following presentations and expert testimony, the Board unanimously approved the revised special use permit (ZPH 2025-00018) for the "Station at River's Edge" apartment complex. The approval is contingent upon Ingram Times of Arden Investors 270 LLC, the applicant, submitting a final site plan and formally agreeing to all conditions recommended by County staff. There was no public comment or testimony during the hearing, indicating a lack of asserted standing from residents on this matter.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified. The applicant is now required to submit the final site plan and sign an agreement outlining all conditions of approval before any construction can begin. County staff will also follow up with the applicant regarding the minor modification to the clubhouse square footage. Finally, the Board encouraged staff to explore options for improving online accessibility of past meeting minutes, particularly for projects undergoing revisions like this one. The Board’s decision marks a significant step forward in the development of the "Station at River's Edge" complex, which will add a substantial number of housing units to the Arden area.