Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (May 20, 2025)

Meeting Overview The City of Asheville’s Planning, Economic Development and Environment (PEDE) Committee held a virtual meeting on May 20, 2025. This session served as a kickoff for the committee’s work following a period of transition, focusing on establishing clear priorities, streamlining internal processes, and aligning with the city’s recovery efforts.

Key Decisions The only formal vote taken during the meeting was the unanimous approval of the minutes from the committee’s previous meeting on September 9, 2024. No other formal decisions or votes were recorded, as the remainder of the agenda was dedicated to discussion and groundwork for future planning.

Discussion Highlights Assistant City Manager Ben Woody presented an overview of the committee’s scope, outlining four priority areas: People, Housing, Infrastructure, and Economy. He emphasized a focus on recovery efforts following the recent disaster and highlighted the committee’s expanded scope to include environmental considerations. During the discussion on council priorities, Sage Turner expressed a desire for clear priorities, particularly concerning the committee’s role in policy and budget decisions. Kim Roney highlighted the importance of incorporating community wisdom and lived experience into policy decisions. The group also discussed the process for adding agenda items, focusing on ensuring open meetings compliance and streamlining communication between committee members and staff.

Community Input Two members of the public from the Sunrise Movement provided comments, advocating for bold climate action, equitable economic development, and robust community engagement. Their written record, submitted as part of the meeting materials, encouraged the committee to be bold in mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts. They specifically recommended "greening the grid aggressively" and getting private, gas-powered cars off the road by expanding public transit and EV infrastructure. They also called for economic development that includes living wages, diversification away from tourism, and workforce development focused on green jobs. The transcript summary does not report any specific responses or reactions from committee members to these comments.

Follow-ups Staff agreed to provide a document outlining the legal framework for committee operations, particularly regarding open meetings policies. The committee stated it will participate in a prioritization discussion on June 10, facilitated by Found Works, to align council goals with the city’s recovery efforts. Additionally, the committee will further develop a work plan for the upcoming fiscal year on June 17 and will revisit the micro mobility policy recommendation on that same date. The committee also indicated it will explore ways to better synchronize its work plans with advisory boards and community partners.

Impact This meeting established the foundational direction for the PEDE Committee as the city moves forward in its recovery. By defining the committee’s scope around land use, transportation policy, economic development, and environmental sustainability, the body is positioning itself to guide policy and budget decisions in these critical areas. The focus on aligning with the city’s recovery priorities and engaging with community partners ensures that the committee’s upcoming work plans address the immediate needs of residents while supporting long-term sustainability goals.