[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6185748,"mediaKeyId","5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9","parentId",5081200,"title","Council approves zoning text amendment to restore sidewalk‑related language removed in March ordinance","audioSeconds",331,"startMs",1592000,"endMs",1923000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9&start=1592&end=1923","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9/thumbnail_1592000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6185748/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-zoning-text-amendment-to-restore-sidewalkrelated-language-removed-in-March-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185748-528a3b484220cc4e37ea9384137a71b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189686&Signature=MPzYtbw2vgUtxqbU85gyNH6VZlkkzlqtE2RZXEkDd5z6Y9BRFIbjTfj0oG3mgS8EotFmBCf53iVnRzGcxy6IJxlk8GIMn~YA6WtcjBKe3x1Z5J-hw~2jcKbLzlRuyU0EJbDzcQU2ek3pscwp8xGNkhDEP9kv~Fn72BHO45utxn2u2ALznDojSLsY8EsYLxahtIjaQ620PpP4RCR9qamNbIMr3yzk8ebaK64YfrhqX5sW894RFEUwmykWDFV7gRoDlQ5QXRHJ7ThOO3LwGrXtjaVVBuyTW8SngT4X89no~xUG9TuNf6q~5mng7Liexb9xEj~xOilMtxtfOmAhvT1iFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Asheville City, NC","date","2025-06-25T11:39:42Z","article","The Asheville City Council voted June 24 to approve an amendment to Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Ordinance to reinsert subsections that were inadvertently removed when the city adopted ordinance 51‑27 on March 11, 2025, while keeping the intended policy change on when new sidewalk construction is required.

Will Pompquist of Planning and Urban Design told council the amendment — described in staff materials as the \"sidewalk requirements cleanup\" — restores sections 7‑11‑8(c)–(f) that clarifies when new sidewalk construction is required and when a fee‑in‑lieu may be used. He said the March ordinance had correctly amended thresholds for when sidewalks are required (for example, removing a new construction trigger when a building is vacant for more than 180 days) but inadvertently omitted following language that previously clarified applicability and administrative process. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the text amendment on June 4 and recommended approval with an additional criterion on fee‑in‑lieu eligibility for conditional zoning applicants.

City staff told council the version before them does not incorporate the Planning and Zoning Commission’s extra fee‑in‑lieu criterion because the city attorney had advised that the suggested wording would not be legally permissible within the conditional‑zoning process. The city attorney’s office and staff framed that distinction as analogous to the community‑benefits approach used with hotels: council can adopt broader policy by ordinance, but it should not impose fee‑in‑lieu requirements as a contract‑style rezoning condition.

Council adopted the text amendment by motion and voice vote. Staff said the amendment would clarify when sidewalks are required, when the city may accept payment instead of construction, and thereby support goals in the comprehensive plan to make streets more walkable and enhance pedestrian safety.

The approved ordinance keeps the intended March 11 change that removed a specific trigger for requiring new sidewalks when a building is vacant for more than 180 days, while restoring other procedural and applicability language that had been removed by omission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting – June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Asheville City Council voted June 24 to approve a zoning text amendment restoring language in Chapter 7 of the Unified Development Ordinance that was inadvertently omitted from an ordinance adopted March 11, while keeping the intended change to when new sidewalk construction is required.","taxTitle","Asheville City, Buncombe County, North Carolina","taxId",3915,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185753,"Council pauses rezoning request for 99999 Trade Street after title and right‑of‑way questions",1058,532000,1590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9&start=532&end=1590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9/thumbnail_532000.jpg","/articles/6185753/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Council-pauses-rezoning-request-for-99999-Trade-Street-after-title-and-rightofway-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185753-517610ebfdeba887db71917a1edd9949/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189686&Signature=HQR36ZXWmu64Te~epg0HyO-SkwCQPCNN8~Hq4y2RnloL4BselbPxVBui8D4~XjF~lTx7GIjqIQItg3p2YaUYhEHAuMcAJBoDFJ0dHQGrSBwoWteLD8lXmkmsWvWPNnb22qvsrtb9KT7SjuwPfjf4mSKgFNo5z4RPy3cNnnSe6pIas0AshriUnrBnYgOtxHtU1KYZn9wraATb0mGaGTN-J5iefGRrkCJUI9OFTMVuB2hMIy-f-GaZlNqfNtQizn0p8-iC9szIMGnSkOI2IVmziUhd42SgFo~J0kxRMOY~FXfRP-Z5IAdBU~yrw2X13sF8s7B1dSJeUs3TfsD9I1TDCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Asheville City Council on June 24 heard a presentation on a straight rezoning request for a quarter‑acre property at 99999 Trade Street in the River Arts District and agreed to continue the case to a July 29 meeting after questions about a mapped alley and whether it is a public right‑of‑way were raised.

Planning staff presented the rezoning request as a straight map change with no project plans attached. Will Pompquist of Planning and Urban Design said the applicant seeks to change the parcel from River Arts District — Neighborhood Transition (RAD NT) to Residential Multifamily Medium Density (RM 8). \"This request is to rezone the property to residential multifamily medium density RM 8,\" Pompquist said, noting the site is about a quarter acre and that the Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval unanimously.

The matter drew one nearby property owner to the podium. Boone Guyton said he owns a lot adjacent to the north and raised concerns about an apparent alley or right‑of‑way between his lot and the rezoning parcel: \"Is that real? I mean, it's in all the maps... they all assured me it exists and it'll continue.\" The applicant's attorney, Bo Carpenter, said his client believes the tract to be part of the deeded property but that he had not completed a title search.

Council members pressed staff and the applicant about whether the mapped alley is a public alley or a private tract. Pompquist said staff had not completed a public‑works or title review and described the feature as possibly a \"paper alley\" — a mapped alley that appears on plats but that may never have been opened or accepted by the city. He emphasized that the city's preliminary review had not verified whether adjoining parties hold easements or other rights that would affect development.

An initial motion to approve the rezoning failed for lack of a second. Later in the discussion council member raised concern about reduced sidewalk requirements under the requested zone and the site's proximity to high‑frequency transit, and the council voted unanimously to continue the public hearing to July 29 to allow additional research and to give the applicant an opportunity to address title/right‑of‑way issues.

Next steps: the council will revisit the rezoning request at its July 29 meeting after staff and the applicant provide clarifying information about the mapped alley/right‑of‑way and ownership records.

The rezoning would affect allowed uses and form‑based requirements: staff noted RAD NT allows some limited commercial uses, taller maximum heights (up to four stories/55 feet in some settings) and no minimum parking for many residential uses, while RM 8 allows single‑ and two‑family dwellings, typically requires one parking space per unit, and would reduce the maximum height adjacent to RS or RM zones to three stories/45 feet. Those technical differences were central to council members’ questions about sidewalks, parking and neighborhood compatibility.

Council made no final zoning change at the June 24 hearing; the item will return for action after the requested follow‑up.","The Asheville City Council heard a staff presentation and public comment on a request to rezone a quarter‑acre River Arts District parcel to RM‑8 but did not approve the change and voted to continue the item to July 29 to allow follow‑up on a possible alley/right‑of‑way and ownership concerns.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185734,"Council reaffirms 319 Biltmore redevelopment plan and authorizes gap loan and tax grant for mixed‑income project",911,4289000,5200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9&start=4289&end=5200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9/thumbnail_4289000.jpg","/articles/6185734/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Council-reaffirms-319-Biltmore-redevelopment-plan-and-authorizes-gap-loan-and-tax-grant-for-mixedincome-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185734-eb6dd8df0b19500756cdfc2e09ce7768/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189686&Signature=gBF7v4CwLa3LohEdb~BS2btSzCX7tQFsnJi30TE92MoWrOYOS1qCTudnLHPmiJxM9i-wUGhZXZ1Hro4bx2flpY-W1wz-sacF9-0SRpDTtnLfh~JV4uZJHVir8Iyjrb5Mx-nEVtqLzKwp2YcTQV2cdTooTlNdW0wB3Ya1lZc3Xd2ZTHQSYEia4W~xqUmR1ImlSctxDe26fCgVkcPrw~tVkBl1Uxo0QEivcpXfDWl4dJNqdkvV1v-Rznj-bSeMMhzPtS~WWQHkXITURFf58RftnAgfoZHgnXhIjHPpr19YbgsGdA7vXGoTmQO3L92QxJkpfLshMH8wpzHD9w6R1Aspog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Asheville City Council on June 24 reaffirmed its prior August 2022 disposition resolution for the city‑owned site at 319 Biltmore Avenue and approved a new development approach with Laurel Street Residential that includes a phased mixed‑income development, a $3 million housing trust fund loan for phase one, and a tax grant request to support long‑term operating pro forma.

City staff presented a revised deal for the 221‑unit project that breaks construction into two phases. Phase 1 would include 109 units with 33 project‑based vouchers and would rely on a $3,000,000 loan from the city’s housing trust fund. Phase 2 — a separate tax‑credit phase with 112 units — would be pursued using Low‑Income Housing Tax Credits and other funding sources. In the new agreement the city would not sell the land outright; instead staff negotiated a long‑term ground lease (treated similarly to a sale under North Carolina law) that includes a 40‑year affordability period and potential ground lease term up to 99 years, with benchmarks tied to phase completion.

Sasha Burtynsky described how the affordable‑housing landscape has changed since the city purchased the site in 2019 and emphasized the need to move projects forward amid rising costs and fewer county funding cycles. Staff said the revised deal increases the number of affordable units over earlier proposals: overall the project would include 73 affordable units (about 29% of the total), with 29% of total units serving households at 30% AMI and below.

Laurel Street Residential representatives said the developer has experience in the region; the council received a staff analysis comparing subsidy levels and cost per unit with similar recent projects and recommended the package. The council approved a motion that authorizes the city manager to negotiate and enter into a development and lease agreement, authorize a $3,000,000 housing trust fund loan for phase 1, and approve a tax grant up to $100,000 per parcel per year for up to 20 years. The motion passed following a second and consent vote with no public opposition during the council hearing.

Next steps: staff to complete negotiations, close on the phase 1 loan, and assist developer with tax credit and other funding applications for phase 2. Construction on phase 1 is estimated to start in 2026, with phase 2 following after tax credit allocation and additional funding procurement.","Council reaffirmed prior disposition authority and authorized staff to negotiate a development and lease agreement with Laurel Street Residential for a phased 221‑unit redevelopment at 319 Biltmore Avenue, including a $3 million housing trust fund loan for phase one and a possible tax grant up to $100,000 per parcel per year for 20 years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185739,"Council awards $250,000 from 2016 bond funds to Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust for two permanently affordable homes",715,2877000,3592000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9&start=2877&end=3592","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9/thumbnail_2877000.jpg","/articles/6185739/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Council-awards-250000-from-2016-bond-funds-to-Asheville-Buncombe-Community-Land-Trust-for-two-permanently-affordable-homes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185739-bedf194366b280bc03c78d74d1088e39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189686&Signature=LLQ8AJMyjyTdpqsIiFcsRmdR96HPsjXUmsTuSdtj9R2qA~WWqe0GOeREG2hXoTRvvY9SWG7uspccRycaZ1IFp2z6Id5-7XlgvMqP7f2J-7H1TKY8IB6bl~8jqDDgxk9lYg7~bHBluQdeVg0Y7tjU9qSowpqOXzv8EFoHj6IgiXIdHZxDZ4LxsvBZunKF7~tfkYCc0RdVTYVxps6Wy5StAwNg-dApnI9YV2XOSf2wGkyYIUr-g6KMIEPfSLnL8YkaBf3tP1XL3Alx1YgA418dsuuPx~uOofY~OOZ9wfIC9C8mHPmbucOaG0n-ZTgx9yePeLS~N0tawUGrdjeIjDfd4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Asheville City Council unanimously approved a $250,000 grant June 24 to the Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust (ABCLT) to assist the purchase and resale of two homes — 32 Grama Street and 32 Olive Street — as permanently affordable homeownership units restricted to households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).

Sasha Burtynsky of the Community and Economic Development Department presented the request and explained that the $250,000 would come from 2016 bond funds allocated for affordable housing. Burtynsky said the land trust is the region’s only community land trust and described the CLT model, in which the nonprofit retains ownership of land and sells houses under long‑term ground leases or deed restrictions to keep prices permanently affordable.

Burtynsky and ABCLT representatives said 32 Grama Street — a 1,600‑square‑foot, four‑bed, two‑bath house built about 1910 in East End/Stevens‑Lee area — had been purchased by the Preservation Society and extensively renovated, with project costs reported at roughly $475,000 to $500,000. ABCLT intends to buy the property for $350,000 and resell it with a deed restriction for approximately $200,000 to an income‑qualified buyer. The other property, 32 Olive Street in Southside, would be purchased by ABCLT for $200,000 and sold to a qualifying household for about $185,000 after renovations.

At the Housing and Community Development advisory meeting prior to council, HCD voted 2–1 in favor of recommending the grant. Multiple speakers from the neighborhood and preservation community spoke at council in support: neighborhood association leaders and residents described the properties as part of the area’s legacy fabric and urged council to use available bond funds to preserve housing and stem displacement. Anna Zievska, executive director of ABCLT, and other proponents noted Grama Street had been in one family for more than a century and called the work reparative.

Council members said they were moved by neighborhood testimony and the preservation effort. Staff clarified that city funds would not be disbursed until the projects were fully funded and ready to close. Council approved the $250,000 grant motion unanimously.

Next steps: staff will coordinate closing with ABCLT and the Preservation Society and apply deed restrictions to both homes so they remain permanently affordable; grant disbursement will occur at closing when additional funding sources are confirmed.","The council unanimously approved a $250,000 grant to the Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust to help acquire and sell two homes at permanently affordable prices to households at or below 80% AMI, citing preservation of legacy neighborhoods and anti‑displacement goals.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6185743,"Council approves submission of 2025–29 consolidated plan and 2025–26 action plan, allocates CDBG and HOME recommendations",781,1966000,2747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9&start=1966&end=2747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081200-cf78979b738634c965598c14e26c86d9/thumbnail_1966000.jpg","/articles/6185743/Asheville-City/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Council-approves-submission-of-202529-consolidated-plan-and-202526-action-plan-allocates-CDBG-and-HOME-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6185743-3a9160c609bdd39b7cee9092c7a37a33/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189686&Signature=U5Nn4nnCked3HvfRgB9C6k1MF9HggcsZrA5N8w3rBk75F8HA8-3WjQE0QwqhF7VdSV-yvldBYK0AFByffwFHXfBlC9cfIQj1oO8LrW8dBGvnAqT39aABCT~3T6JbVeP7CoA47NpDaW47j3h62mZuzxnL292TWnH5kHfNnSC0d-L8MU6hYRBehBWbxwar42dx~11-1JK3X01mbXs9x-G~jFj-52FIotzFvIeIg6lnA8thAAdQ6SQ0vwxKZLo80bOAuMkLswPSBv8E9tI5HMdA2YnBvERks-nkMGgc1i4O4Hnjj9q20Of6hzajlkSMtGbgkSEFG3BwP2ofCxKCcQfNIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Asheville City Council voted June 24 to approve submission of the 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025–2026 annual action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and endorsed staff funding recommendations for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) programs.

James Shelton, Community Development Division manager, and Jacob Kompffer of the Land of Sky Regional Council presented the draft consolidated plan and the annual action plan. Kompffer said the city expects roughly $972,000 in CDBG and about $1,000,000 in HOME funds for the coming year, plus program income. He described the consolidated plan as a blueprint that sets priorities, goals and eligible activities to ensure HUD funds are spent in accordance with federal requirements.

Staff recommended canceling two previously approved CDBG projects and reallocating roughly $15,000 from one canceled fair‑housing project to an existing project, and increasing the budget for Homeward Bound’s coordinated entry support. For the 2025‑26 allocation cycle, staff recommended keeping public service spending below HUD’s cap (about $150,000) and funding a mix of public‑service and non‑public‑service activities including tenant‑based rental assistance, microenterprise assistance, public facilities work, and homeowner rehabilitation.

For HOME funds (a consortium covering multiple counties), staff proposed a $300,000 tenant‑based rental assistance allocation, $400,000 for down payment assistance, and approximately $587,000 for homeowner rehabilitation. Staff noted available one‑time funds including program income and funds returned from a rescinded project; staff also described caps on administrative and CHDO (community housing development organization) set‑asides that constrain allocations.

Shelton told council that staff followed HUD timing requirements and planned to submit the consolidated plan and action plan to HUD by the July 13 deadline. Council received the plans and approved a motion to submit them to HUD and to authorize the city manager to sign related documents, plus approve associated budget amendments. The Asheville Housing Consortium and the city’s Housing and Community Development (HCD) advisory group recommended the funding package in recent votes.

Next steps: staff will publish the plans, open subrecipient application cycles later this year for assistance programs (including tenant‑based rental assistance), and submit final documents to HUD by the federal deadline.","The council approved submitting the city's 2025–2029 consolidated plan and the 2025–2026 annual action plan to HUD, including funding recommendations for CDBG and HOME programs and several substantial amendments to prior action plans.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves zoning text amendment to restore sidewalk‑related language removed in March ordinance

Council pauses rezoning request for 99999 Trade Street after title and right‑of‑way questions

Council reaffirms 319 Biltmore redevelopment plan and authorizes gap loan and tax grant for mixed‑income project

Council awards $250,000 from 2016 bond funds to Asheville Buncombe Community Land Trust for two permanently affordable homes

Council approves submission of 2025–29 consolidated plan and 2025–26 action plan, allocates CDBG and HOME recommendations