Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting (In-Person) (Sep 3, 2025)

Recap of Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting - September 3, 2025

The Planning and Zoning Commission convened on Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025, at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Asheville for a meeting focused on several key zoning matters. The session began with a land acknowledgement and approval of the minutes from the previous meeting on August 6th, followed by updates from committee liaisons. The agenda primarily centered around three major zoning requests: a significant expansion of the Deerfield Retirement Community, installation of a concealed telecommunications tower at Asheville Mall, and a residential development proposal for New Haw Creek.

The most substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the proposed expansion of Deerfield Retirement Community at 1617 Hendersonville Rd. The proposal involves an 822,300 sq. ft. addition to the existing facility, including a health center, independent living buildings, and an outdoor center. Staff recommended approval, citing alignment with the city's Comprehensive Plan goals of increased density, diverse housing options, and an Age-Friendly Community. The proposal adheres to existing conditional zoning requirements regarding building sizes, height (limited to 65 feet), grounds maintenance, sidewalk coordination with NCDOT, parking restrictions, and vehicle limits.

The Commission also considered a request for a special use permit to install a 135-foot concealed telecommunications tower at 3 S. Tunnel Rd (Asheville Mall). Staff recommended approval, finding the proposal met all relevant standards for Special Use Permits and noting its exemption from standard height limits. Finally, the Commission reviewed a proposal for "Meadows at New Haw Creek," a 27-acre residential development at 767 New Haw Creek Rd. Staff recommended approval, highlighting its alignment with the Comprehensive Plan goals of increased density and improved connectivity, contingent upon conditions including sidewalk construction, preservation of property buffers, soil management during construction, homebuyer education programs, a public access easement for a future greenway, and traffic calming measures across New Haw Creek.

The meeting followed up on discussions from the August 6th session, which included remembering the late Vice-Chair Byron Greiner and continuing discussions around Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) zoning text amendments. The ADU amendment was continued to a future meeting, reflecting ongoing concerns about potential displacement and equitable information distribution. Public comment was accepted throughout the meeting, with opportunities for individuals to speak for up to three minutes and groups for ten. The Planning & Zoning Commission is expected to reconvene at a future date to continue discussions and address the ongoing ADU zoning text amendment.