# Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (Jun 17, 2025)

**Body:** City of Asheville — Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee
**Date:** June 17, 2025 1:00 PM EDT (2025-06-17T13:00:00-04:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724

## Summary

The City of Asheville’s Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee held a virtual meeting on June 17, 2025, to review ongoing recovery efforts and development regulations. The agenda focused on three primary informational items: the Unified Long-Term Recovery Plan, updates to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and the Tropical Storm Helene Related Unsafe Buildings Program. The committee also approved the minutes from the May 20, 2024 meeting.

The committee received an overview of the Unified Long-Term Recovery Plan, a collaborative initiative led by Buncombe County to coordinate recovery efforts across the region following recent storm damage. Staff presented the plan’s purpose, which is to identify priority projects, streamline communication between jurisdictions, and serve as a roadmap for community recovery. The plan will incorporate feedback gathered from residents through surveys, including the City’s Recovery Priorities Survey and the County’s envision run-con survey. Staff indicated that a draft of the plan is expected in September 2025, with a final adoption vote by the County anticipated in November.

Regarding the Unified Development Ordinance, the Development Services Director discussed the city’s approach to updating its development regulations, with a focus on housing and disaster resiliency. The city is pursuing funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to support a comprehensive update to codes and ordinances. Staff noted that the city has already implemented several UDO changes since January 2025, including updates to flood development standards, cottage and flag lot standards, and regulations for accessory dwelling units. The committee was informed that the city is seeking Council authorization to formally submit the HMGP application in July or August 2025.

The committee also reviewed the status of the Tropical Storm Helene Related Unsafe Buildings Program. Staff reported that 218 buildings were identified as unsafe following an initial damage assessment. While many structures are being demolished or undergoing repairs, 44 buildings or sites remain unresolved with no action taken to address storm damage. The Compliance team continues to work with property owners to encourage compliance with unsafe building ordinances. A critical deadline for owners seeking assistance through HMGP buyout applications is October 10, 2025.

During the discussion, Councilwoman Sage Turner raised a question about potentially easing restrictions on noise ordinances for downtown venues to support economic recovery. The committee discussed the current noise ordinance and its potential impacts on businesses, reaching a general consensus to gather more data and engage in further discussion before making any changes. Staff agreed to gather data on noise ordinance impacts and present it to the committee, with the topic potentially being explored further at a future meeting or through discussions with other council members.

No other votes or decisions were recorded at this meeting beyond the approval of the May 20, 2024 minutes. The meeting served primarily as an informational update on ongoing planning and development initiatives. Staff will continue working on the Unified Long-Term Recovery Plan and UDO updates, while the committee will monitor the progress of the HMGP application and the resolution of unsafe buildings.

## Agenda

- [Approval of Minutes (May 20, 2024)](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724/item/4607)
- [Long Term Recovery Planning](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724/item/4608)
- [Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Updates Moving Forward](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724/item/4609)
- [Tropical Storm Helene Related Unsafe Buildings Program](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724/item/4610)
- [PUBLIC COMMENT (3 Minutes Each)](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724/item/4611)

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://youtube.com/live/Gy5URKavChM?feature=share
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/660/segments

## Documents

- [4 - Amendments to Development Regulations .pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724?document=1902)
- [2 - DRAFT - PEDE Action Minutes May 20, 2025.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724?document=1916)
- [5 - TS Helene Unsafe Building Program.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724?document=1895)
- [agenda_2025-06-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724?document=1886)
- [3 - ULTRP Overview Slides - PEDE June 17 2025.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724?document=1907)
- [1 - PEDE Agenda 6_17_25.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/724?document=1926)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/planning-economic-development-and-environment-committee-virtual-jun-17-2025/)