Event Recap
Asheville City Council Meeting Recap: February 11, 2025
The Asheville City Council held its regular meeting on February 11, 2025, focusing on disaster recovery funding, infrastructure contracts, and proposed changes to zoning regulations. The agenda included routine approvals for city operations, a significant update on the I-26 Connector Project, and public hearings on amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The meeting concluded with the council continuing several zoning discussions to a future date and approving a large federal grant allocation for Tropical Storm Helene recovery.
Key Decisions and Votes
The council unanimously approved (7-0) a series of resolutions and budget amendments. These included authorizing the City Manager to execute a services contract with Hydromax USA for the Valve Condition Assessment Program Project, which aims to improve water system reliability following a major outage. The council also approved amendments to contracts with Atlantic Emergency Solutions Inc. and Cummins Inc. d/b/a Cummins Sales & Service to increase capacity for heavy truck repair, a need exacerbated by Tropical Storm Helene. Additionally, the council passed a $500,000 budget amendment from Debt Proceeds in the Street Cut Fund to acquire equipment for street repairs.
Further unanimous approvals (7-0) included an Interlocal Agreement with Buncombe County to administer matching Code Purple funding and a funding agreement with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry in the amount of $222,000 for emergency shelter services. The council authorized a contract with TranSystems Corporation for the New Haw Creek sidewalk project and a change order with Garbage Pal Inc. for portable facilities used in Tropical Storm Helene recovery. A resolution to amend an agreement with Cityworks/Azteca Systems, LLC for enterprise asset management software hosting was also passed. The council approved monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases as required by state law.
In a significant decision regarding governance, the council voted 7-0 to decrease the membership of the Asheville Housing Authority from eleven to nine commissioners. Finally, the council passed a resolution authorizing staff to submit an Administrative Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grant to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A corresponding budget amendment in the amount of $225,010,000 was passed, noting that these funds are subject to HUD approval.
Discussion Highlights
A major portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Asheville Housing Authority (AHA) board changes. The Mayor explained that reducing the board size was a reversal of a previous council decision and intended to streamline operations and align with state statute. This explanation followed a period of intense public comment where residents criticized the timing of the changes and the appointment process.
Staff and representatives from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) presented an update on the I-26 Connector Project. They highlighted that a collaborative "Optimization and Refinement" process resulted in significant cost savings, approximately $125 million, while maintaining commitments to bicycle and pedestrian connections and aesthetic elements. The City Manager introduced the FAST (Flood Assistance Support Team), a new interdepartmental group formed to expedite permit review for properties impacted by Tropical Storm Helene. The Manager’s Report also included employee recognition for those who worked during the storm response.
Regarding the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments, the council held public hearings on proposals to revise cottage development standards and flag lot regulations. After initial votes to deny these specific amendments, the council voted to continue the hearings to March 11, 2025.
Community Input
Numerous members of the public spoke during the meeting. Regarding the Asheville Housing Authority, a large number of residents expressed strong opposition to the board membership reduction, accusing the Mayor of abusing discretion and undermining community trust. Many emphasized the importance of maintaining resident representation on the board.
During the public hearing on cottage development standards, residents offered mixed feedback. While some voiced support for the changes as a way to address the city’s housing shortage, others, including representatives from neighborhood associations, urged the council to prioritize protecting legacy neighborhoods and ensuring that development benefits existing residents, particularly Black communities.
Follow-ups
The council will revisit the UDO amendments regarding cottage development standards and flag lot standards at a meeting on March 11, 2025. Staff will submit the Administrative Action Plan for the CDBG-DR grant to HUD, with the full Action Plan expected to be presented to the council in April 2025. The FAST team will continue its weekly operations to assist with flood permits, and city staff will schedule public meetings to provide further updates on the I-26 Connector Project.
Impact
These decisions directly affect how the city manages its infrastructure and responds to recent disasters. The approval of the $225,010,000 CDBG-DR grant allocation allows the city to begin planning for long-term recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, with administrative funds available to cover planning costs. The contract approvals ensure continued maintenance of the water system, fleet vehicles, and asset management software. The reduction of the AHA board size changes the governance structure for the city’s affordable housing agency, a move that generated significant community debate. The continuation of the UDO hearings means that proposed changes to housing and lot regulations will not take effect until further review in March.