Event Recap
Buncombe County Planning Board Meeting Recap: April 21, 2025
The Buncombe County Planning Board convened on April 21, 2025, to address two primary planning initiatives: the Swannanoa Small Area Plan and proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance. The meeting began with standard procedural items, including the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the February 17, 2025, meeting. The board focused significantly on recovery and resilience efforts in the Swannanoa area following the damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene, as well as updates to housing regulations in the Beaver Dam zoning district.
Key Decisions The board took two formal votes during the meeting. First, the board approved the agenda for the current session. Second, the board approved the minutes from the February 17, 2025, meeting. No other motions were voted upon; the major planning items discussed were presented for introduction and initial discussion rather than final adoption.
Swannanoa Small Area Plan A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the introduction of the Swannanoa Small Area Plan, presented by staff member Shannon Capezzali. This plan aims to address recovery, resilience, and growth challenges in the Swannanoa area. Staff outlined a multi-phase planning process that is currently in the pre-budget phase. The process includes upcoming stakeholder outreach, an existing conditions study, and public engagement activities such as a kickoff week and a design charrette. Staff emphasized the importance of community engagement and trauma-informed planning in addressing the area's recovery needs. Supporting documents presented at the meeting included a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment, which identified flooding, landslides, and wildfire as high-priority hazards in the region, noting that Tropical Storm Helene triggered 47 landslides and caused a 1,000-year flood event.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments The board also discussed proposed text amendments to the Buncombe County zoning ordinance, specifically regarding the Beaver Dam (BDM) zoning district. Staff presented these changes, which aim to modernize regulations that have remained largely unchanged since 1981. Key proposed changes include allowing up to two dwelling units per lot in the BDM district, simplifying district standards to reduce redundancy with newer overlay requirements, and adding specific limits for land disturbance and impervious surfaces. The staff report noted that these amendments align with the county’s Comprehensive Plan goals to expand affordable housing choices and promote conservation. The board discussed the balance between development and preserving community character, with staff highlighting that the changes support mixed-use neighborhoods and conservation subdivisions.
Public Comment During the public comment period, Didi Styles, a resident of Swannanoa, shared concerns regarding the impact of development on water quality and flooding. She emphasized the importance of considering the origin of stormwater, particularly runoff from impervious surfaces on steep slopes. Ms. Styles also invited board members to attend meetings of the Swannanoa Grassroots Alliance. The transcript summary does not record specific responses from board members to her comments.
Next Steps Staff outlined several next steps for the items discussed. For the Swannanoa Small Area Plan, staff will issue a Request for Proposals to hire a planning consultant, begin early stakeholder outreach in May, and form a steering committee of residents. For the zoning ordinance amendments, the board scheduled a work session for May 19, 2025, to further discuss the proposed text. A public hearing and recommendation vote on the proposed language are proposed for June 16, 2025. Staff also indicated they will develop visual aids, including layered maps, to illustrate the proposed zoning changes.