City Council Meeting (In-Person) (Sep 9, 2025)

City Council Meeting Recap: September 9, 2025

The Asheville City Council held a regular in-person meeting on September 9, 2025. The session focused on approving infrastructure contracts, managing financial resources for disaster recovery, and addressing zoning and development proposals. The Council also received final reports from the Community Reparations Commission (CRC) and the I-26 Connector Aesthetics Committee.

Key Decisions and Votes

The Council approved the Consent Agenda by a vote of 7-0. This package included the approval of minutes from previous meetings and the authorization of several contracts and budget amendments. Notable items within the Consent Agenda included:

• Infrastructure and Engineering: A change order with CDM Smith Inc. for the Patton Avenue Water System Distribution Project 2, increasing the contract value to $2,308,101.00; a change order with Ardurra Group Inc. for the Shiloh Service Line Find and Replace Engineering Services, increasing the contract to $580,000; and a contract with NV5 Engineers and Consultants, Inc. for the London Road Sidewalk Improvements Project, totaling $292,340.
• Facilities and Operations: An informal construction contract with United Elevator for the modernization of the freight elevator at Harrah’s Cherokee Center Asheville; amendments to contracts with Daikin Applied for building automation and Pepsi Cola Bottling Company for beverage services at the same venue; and a contract with Passport Labs Inc. for a parking citation and permit management system, not to exceed $1,031,900.
• Financial and Administrative: A budget amendment to accept $95,000 in grant funds from Dogwood Health Trust for the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care; a resolution to enter into a Round 3 cashflow loan agreement with the State of North Carolina in the amount of $12,218,317.22 to support Hurricane Helene recovery; and a lease renewal with the United States of America for 224 Louisiana Avenue.
• Other Approvals: A resolution to extend the contract with Responder Support Services for employee counseling through October 31, 2025; a resolution to permit the consumption of malt beverages and unfortified wine at the Lovely Asheville Fall Festival on October 11-12, 2025; and a resolution to join the American Flood Coalition.

The Council also voted on specific ordinances and resolutions outside the Consent Agenda:

• Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Amendments: Passed 7-0. These amendments to Chapter 7 align Board of Adjustment procedures with North Carolina state law, including changes to membership appointments and notification requirements for quasi-judicial hearings.
• Ordinance No. 5175: Passed 7-0. This amends Chapter 7 regarding Board of Adjustment membership and legal advertisement notification requirements.
• Deerfield Retirement Community Expansion: The Council held a public hearing and subsequently passed a resolution 7-0 to approve the conditional zoning amendment for the property at 1617 Hendersonville Road. This allows for a significant expansion of the retirement community, including new independent living, assisted living, and health center facilities.
• Affordable Housing Bond: The Council voted to allocate $10 million from the Affordable Housing Bond to the WNC Affordable Housing Loan Fund. Mayor Esther Manheimer recused herself from this vote.
• Public Solicitation Ordinance: The Council held a second reading on an ordinance expanding "high traffic" zones where public solicitation is restricted. One member voted against the ordinance.

Discussion Highlights and Community Input

The meeting included a presentation on the final report of the Community Reparations Commission (CRC). The report outlines 39 recommendations for addressing systemic racism and includes the creation of a new non-profit, 40 Acres LOTSA CDC, to implement these initiatives. Staff indicated they will identify which recommendations fall under the City’s purview. The CRC is scheduled for formal dissolution at the October 14, 2025, City Council meeting.

The Council also received a report from the I-26 Connector Aesthetics Committee regarding design changes for the new bridge over West Patton Avenue. The committee recommended aesthetic improvements, including lighting and public art, with the City funding specific "betterment" items such as expanding the Smith Mill Creek Greenway multi-use path ($277,000) and adding form liners to the bridge span ($74,100).

During public comment, several residents addressed the Council. Steve Leger of the Freedman Reparations Fund Trust advocated for the city to prioritize funding and support for the trust to address historical inequities. Matt Zimmerman spoke about the need to address the compensation of city employees, particularly those earning less than a living wage. Thessa Pickett, also representing the Freedman Reparations Fund Trust, reiterated the importance of ensuring the fund’s resources are used effectively. Other speakers raised concerns regarding the affordability of living in Asheville, the impact of I-26 corridor development on accessibility, and public safety.

Follow-ups

Staff agreed to identify recommendations within the CRC final report that fall under the City’s purview. Staff also agreed to schedule meetings with Council members within the next week or two to discuss the City’s drug testing policy for safety-sensitive positions. Additionally, the Transportation Department is working to repair a downed lighted crosswalk sign on Overlook Road, with an estimated completion in early next week.

Impact on Residents

These decisions impact residents through improved infrastructure, such as new sidewalks on London Road and upgrades to the water system on Patton Avenue. The approval of the Deerfield expansion adds housing options for seniors in the Hendersonville Road area. The allocation of bond funds to the WNC Affordable Housing Loan Fund aims to leverage additional private investment to create affordable rental housing in the city. The cashflow loan ensures the City can continue its Hurricane Helene recovery efforts while awaiting federal reimbursements. Finally, the changes to the Board of Adjustment procedures aim to streamline the review of zoning appeals and improve communication with neighborhood associations.