[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,88,99],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6496092,"mediaKeyId","5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5","parentId",5783772,"title","Residents urge transparency on greenways funding; local attendee flags road widths and fire access","audioSeconds",546,"startMs",94000,"endMs",640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5&start=94&end=640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5/thumbnail_94000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6496092/North-Carolina/Residents-urge-transparency-on-greenways-funding-local-attendee-flags-road-widths-and-fire-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496092-6d344a2feb1a322c72b723892f78b5ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495665&Signature=NvgCE6RneLKb5Ty2b8UdxvrJeD9YmO2CJptZp5zMWEO9n6njB-aYBXwtwS5ZfGcZUOlGMbeVzHCOJS35zRbFovuLN3dao9AVsetlUmprjtRwizHt6-pEigcu0Hs8BX~EH2ch1rm2cw0zWlxKCNfmkzjm8lE1j3C6L~qB2HOMbY-SFoK-GDnOJEEKhRfmzoTJBL676u4aBXBKJeXxMWs5P~7SbCcPssxBdnE8QbKbGOlMfdbN9YcpCZJGDX75SOW3gM0ocM~N3Nqkump4NYc3B07SKzRsWZNlvMEBXEYxK2eemjkFhTqX36A0ab8GlX4Qw902kCAUg2GheuKls1aVlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Woodfin, NC","date","2025-09-17T04:16:51.52Z","article","Two residents used the Woodfin Town Council’s public comment period on Sept. 15 to press for more transparency and safety safeguards.

Wilson Sims, who gave his address as 303 Ava Lane, asked the council for more information about the town’s greenways projects and bond funds. “What happened to the 2016 bond referendum money in the accounting to voters? How much to Woodfin Wave, to the parks, and to the greenways?” he asked, and listed nine questions he said he provided to council in advance, including whether a new agreement with Buncombe County should define deliverables and whether updated Greenway guidelines and costs have been incorporated into the schedule.

Sims said he has been “active encouraging the Greenways, since 02/2010” and asked the council whether budgets for the Beaver Dam and French Broad greenways exist in full and whether the town had considered an audit to improve transparency. He also asked whether yearly objectives for the greenways have been stated and whether citizen advisory structures similar to those used for other projects could be created.

Later in the public comment period, Elmer Floyd gave the council a written page about fire safety and warned that development with limited ingress and egress would create hazards. Floyd described a recent fire on Wind Whisper where emergency crews could not reach a backyard because of driveway access constraints, and urged the council to enforce conditional‑use rules and preserve standards for road widths, slopes and other development requirements. “We need to really examine those,” Floyd said, referring to rules the town’s Planning and Zoning board previously applied.

Why this matters

Sims’ requests seek accounting and timelines for long‑running, bond‑funded greenway projects that cross municipal and county lines; Floyd’s comments highlight safety risks tied to road design and conditional‑use approvals. Council members acknowledged the comments and later discussed relevant recovery and planning work in staff presentations and agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025.09.16 Woodfin Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the Sept. 15 Woodfin Town Council meeting, resident Wilson Sims asked detailed questions about greenways funding and timelines. Another resident, Elmer Floyd, raised fire‑safety concerns about road widths, driveway access and conditional‑use enforcement.","taxTitle","Woodfin Town, Buncombe County, North Carolina","taxId",71388,"location","North Carolina","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496097,"Woodfin council approves rezoning of 0.47 acres on Goodman Road to R‑10",434,3428000,3862000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5&start=3428&end=3862","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5/thumbnail_3428000.jpg","/articles/6496097/North-Carolina/Woodfin-council-approves-rezoning-of-047-acres-on-Goodman-Road-to-R10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496097-f9b5c3254462b8a9a964d5f265839b38/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495665&Signature=VAbj9RcGKgytlE2bQUxP15TngiEUPi03OPdhCL9YBtpg6SSmi3cPqZgS1D2wQaD~PuCob5dYt70-EdskLfZVMu~qxG2M7yno~KCdpTjdKc~jKQv-L2AWSHNSfWm9p~yQCLNe8AGsyA-hvYF-5xkRCf177DNpg-pPzFbr-tUxEUtp9tfBXe0HTeNivDTiFCPZvSLpBbWZz089cyOjbJ4dL-tqhqqO2gEbJa7bnn5iD2nkWAxy39-VMT7phYrfGzAm4f5FBgVxOLKwsRYjeJfAVRbwQ2iIf9i2HGWLAmyPqYUW8eSLq~IArYTUaBuFxC6GTmzJoG9~TUTc52yp~bOZ5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Woodfin Town Council unanimously approved an ordinance Sept. 15 to rezone a 0.47‑acre parcel on Goodman Road from Mountain Village District to R‑10 residential district.

Planning staff presented a map showing the subject lot and surrounding zoning, noting adjacent Mountain Village zoning and nearby R‑10 development. Staff said the request would align the parcel with the existing pattern along Goodman Road and that electric transmission and other easements affect much of the western half of the lot.

The application, staff said, was owner‑initiated; the applicant told staff they planned to place a HUD/manufactured single‑wide home, a use allowed in R‑10 but not in Mountain Village. Planning staff reported no objections from nearby residents and said the Planning Board approved the rezoning 5‑0 on Aug. 12.

Motion and vote

A council member moved approval of rezoning the 0.47 acres from Mountain Village District to R‑10 residential district “as shown on exhibits A and B” and said the request was reasonable, in the public interest and consistent with the comprehensive plan. A second was recorded and the council voted in favor. The mayor counted four yes votes and declared the motion approved.

Why this matters

The rezoning reduces the formal lot requirements that apply under Mountain Village and applies R‑10 setbacks and development standards that staff said better match the existing detached single‑family pattern on Goodman Road. Council packets show nearby properties that already include a few manufactured homes and limited access to sewer, which staff said makes higher‑density uses inappropriate for the location.","The Town Council voted 4‑0 to rezone a 0.47‑acre parcel on Goodman Road from Mountain Village District to R‑10 residential district to allow a HUD/manufactured home placement, according to staff presentation and a unanimous council vote.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496102,"County posts Envision Buncombe plan; Woodfin council agrees to promote local comment",0,3864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5&start=3864&end=3864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5/thumbnail_3864000.jpg","/articles/6496102/North-Carolina/County-posts-Envision-Buncombe-plan-Woodfin-council-agrees-to-promote-local-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496102-9879e214b6bf15b0ae70298b53f16f3a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495665&Signature=NUvz8NkHHc3JoFUdpq3EHoaXvrcUjKtYZ5xY~Lwk0~vRQEqVC12ej1pkBr9p~pg32goIWhZTtUMpty--MvnAJo2OEHTYHaqFFYNK55e0poseiFaa5hvOdNTCISL7zXxzzhxuhI26oxrSi08jS32XTDdBH83ciqGvCBi12FYNEDM67fwSmh~YK4i5JJYVHtd1WKeaKxb-baeDxXe9h~BwTmiAqczg~k4IiKSZ3anWfLxwcw-lRvhK8QVgnKLsETtHMoUXeLDDU4SdcuIw1cTDPz8pVm~QXiGaG8UW9hC3EWaCpHuOgih2oXc8faFU9bLuXq1mH9LMzbwcYSc~lbCrfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Buncombe County posted a draft of an Envision Buncombe recovery plan that includes a Woodfin‑specific section, and members of the Woodfin Town Council agreed Sept. 15 to promote public comment and link to the county’s online input form.

Town Manager Shannon Tuck said the county plan is posted and open for review; Woodfin’s portion is about 17 pages and will be incorporated into the county’s full draft. She said the county expects to adopt the full plan after public comments are incorporated, then ask municipalities to adopt the county plan in December. \"The plan is for Buncombe County commissioners to adopt the full plan after all of that public comment is received and incorporated,\" she said.

The council discussed whether the town needs to organize additional outreach beyond posting links. Several council members said they wanted to ensure Woodfin residents can find and comment on the 17‑page chapter easily. Tuck said the town will provide direct links on the Woodfin website and share the county page via the town’s social media. She also said the town will accept comments submitted to Woodfin and forward them to Buncombe County.

Council members asked about prioritization and next steps. Tuck said the posted pages include project descriptions, intended outcomes, deliverables and implementation considerations; staff expect to treat the document as a working guide and to prioritize projects in internal retreats. The county’s posted pages include small graphics that indicate complexity, cost and timing for each project, she said.

How to comment

Tuck said the county’s Envision Buncombe page has a table of contents that allows users to jump to each municipality’s section and that the town will add links and social posts to direct residents to the Woodfin chapter. She encouraged residents to use the county’s comment process and said the town will collect and forward any Woodfin‑specific comments it receives.

Why this matters

The plan is meant to coordinate long‑term recovery projects across Buncombe County, but council members expressed concern that Woodfin’s priorities not be lost in a larger countywide effort. The council did not adopt the plan; instead members agreed to publicize the county’s posting, encourage residents to comment and follow up internally to identify local priorities for later, finer‑grained review.","Buncombe County posted a draft countywide recovery plan following Hurricane Helene. The Woodfin Town Council discussed the town’s 17‑page chapter and agreed to direct staff to promote public comment and provide links to the county site and the town’s webpages.",{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6496107,"Woodfin manager outlines FEMA reimbursement timeline, park restorations and dispute over repair estimates",2986,542000,3528000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5&start=542&end=3528","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5783772-227e14bfb87a1aefda4d5486af0511d5/thumbnail_542000.jpg","/articles/6496107/North-Carolina/Woodfin-manager-outlines-FEMA-reimbursement-timeline-park-restorations-and-dispute-over-repair-estimates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6496107-3af98b93f25450fa74d9e48246c4aef0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775495665&Signature=bmw6ok7Pkwlx6rr-RbWwvfm8YsmTWyT4pB6-l1jb~7MLR4ea0xGhYUkYgWvfEOwpGiGXAuOXIQnuDAQKdopkfgE4M2pklvcPBDFtyZ5QFAVxpP057pRS4AlMX1NAuS11OofoTKxU-2qnCl7awGxzREntk9U3AQ9xjBOyajaJMcqO0F5lke~usVS2j9OGoLbPBAiiUv1ANuf9AIJV~UCykJWNLzkf2r4~nPzT4DuV-hZFH09whGbSzPvKtezGU3XaCf3hh8-gU4mtrHgAMpmlxIyTbsw4~XXSdcPCzA-a5Gwn4fwwU6Dh-LwgfbX66~NVp7z5xCAgyWe51zya9r9WVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town Manager Shannon Tuck told the Woodfin Town Council on Sept. 15 that work to obtain federal reimbursement for Hurricane Helene damage is progressing but remains complex and time-consuming, particularly for park restorations and infrastructure repairs.

Tuck said the town has “six different public assistance applications with FEMA,” with debris removal, waterways and public property/road/driveway restoration among the categories. She said the town submitted about 75 applications during the largest round and that “about a quarter of them” were denied, while roughly “25 to 35%” were eligible only with conditions.

The town manager said contractors are completing the bulk of the debris cleanup and that work on steep, heavily impacted Sunny Ridge properties will be finished first so crews can remain mobilized. She warned that decisions on what FEMA deems eligible — for example whether a damaged tree on an unmaintained slope constitutes a threat — have created uncertainty for many residents’ claims.

Tuck said engineering and permitting are driving long timelines for road and stormwater repairs. She said some culverts will require U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits and hydraulic-and-hydrologic (H&H) studies, which can add six to nine months to project schedules. “That’s a big chunk of that 12-month time frame,” she said.

Parks: Silver Line and Riverside

Tuck said revised plans for Silver Line Park are expected this month and that FEMA allows modest mitigation — about 15% of project cost in many cases — on top of restoring facilities to pre-storm conditions. She said the town expects to post an invitation for bids for Silver Line this fall.

Riverside Park, she said, is more complex because the town had planned a significant renovation before the storm. FEMA’s standard approach is to restore facilities to pre-storm condition, but the town may pursue an “alternate plan” that applies eligible FEMA funds to the new pavilion design the town had already planned. Tuck gave the council a concrete example of the cost dispute: FEMA’s estimate for restroom repairs and restoring Riverside Park was “somewhere in the neighborhood of 70‑some thousand dollars,” while the town’s construction bid came in “closer to $300,000.”

“The problem is our bid includes so much more than what FEMA will even look at because it includes a lot of enhancement work that doesn’t get applied to a restoration to a pre‑storm condition,” Tuck said. She described two possible responses: try to persuade FEMA to accept the town’s cost documentation, or use FEMA’s lower estimate and combine it with other grants — notably a $500,000 Great Trails grant and anticipated passive recreation funding — to complete the project.

FEMA cost-estimate process and town strategy

Tuck described two ways to set project costs under FEMA public assistance: accept FEMA’s standards-and-means estimate, or document actual higher costs through invoices, bids or contracts. She said FEMA’s published standards may understimate local costs and that submitting the town’s higher, itemized numbers invites considerable back‑and‑forth. “We're doing our best to not leave money on the table,” she said, while acknowledging the risk that FEMA could later deem some work ineligible.

Permitting, replanting, and other recovery work

Tuck told the council that FEMA is responsible only for removal of eligible debris and that reforestation or revegetation is not covered by FEMA. She said the state is “exploring whether or not there could be some funding” for replanting and that local nonprofits, including Asheville Greenworks, are propagating and planting trees.

Other items in the town manager update

Tuck also reported recent administrative activity that will affect recovery and town services: four contracts approved in the last 30 days, including a community partner grant of $50,000 to ABCCM for emergency assistance and an $8,500 grant to Newbridge Baptist Church to support a community market; a $22,922 contract with Axon for three dashboard cameras; the planned launch of a TextMyGov service to report non‑emergency issues; and work to scan and archive ordinances and minutes.

Why this matters

Tuck emphasized that delays are often procedural — permitting and FEMA cost reconciliation — rather than a lack of funding. Still, the gap between FEMA estimates and local construction bids could force the town to accept lower reimbursements and rely on other grants to finish restorations, especially at Riverside Park. Council members pressed for clarity on timelines and the town’s acceptance strategy; Tuck said the town will pursue cost documentation with FEMA but may choose to move forward by combining FEMA funds with other grants if negotiations stall.

Tuck said she expects Silver Line Park work to be posted for bids this fall and said the town continues to pursue other grants and technical assistance that could accelerate recovery projects.","Town Manager Shannon Tuck told the Woodfin Town Council that FEMA reimbursements for hurricane Helene work are underway but slow, with disagreements over estimated costs delaying contracts for Silver Line and Riverside parks and some stormwater repairs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge transparency on greenways funding; local attendee flags road widths and fire access

Woodfin council approves rezoning of 0.47 acres on Goodman Road to R‑10

County posts Envision Buncombe plan; Woodfin council agrees to promote local comment

Woodfin manager outlines FEMA reimbursement timeline, park restorations and dispute over repair estimates