Council approves permanent zoning for Trinity United ‘Home Hub’ shelter and community services on Haywood Road

Asheville City Council approved a conditional zoning change on Aug. 26 to allow Trinity United Methodist Church’s education building at 587 Haywood Road to operate permanently as a nightly shelter and community hub serving families and other residents. The council’s vote follows a year of temporary operations under the city’s Code Purple emergency rules, community meetings and review by the Planning & Zoning Commission.

The city planner, Will Palmquist, told the council the request rezones the rear portion of the property from Community Business 2 (condition zone) to Community Business 1 conditional zone to permit the shelter use and related services not allowed in the existing district. Palmquist said no structural changes are proposed; the building will be repurposed for a nightly shelter with a stated maximum of 35 beds and “incidental” uses including a community center, preschool, barbershop, consignment shop, workforce training and a learning community.

Why it matters: Council and community leaders said the site helps fill a documented gap in family shelter and supportive services, and it sits on a bus line with nearby pharmacies, food providers and partner organizations. Opponents and some neighbors objected to public-safety and parking concerns and urged clearer operational rules and coordination with city public-safety teams. Supporters said the shelter is referral-based, has staff on site at all times, requires guest agreements (including bans on drugs on-site) and has already placed many guests into housing.

City planning staff recommended approval and the Planning & Zoning Commission endorsed the zoning at its August meeting. City Attorney and staff said the temporary-use permit that previously allowed the shelter under Code Purple was tied to emergency authorization and was not a long-term remedy; rezoning would provide a permanent legal path for the use. Anna Pizzo and Christian Chambers, who operate Safe Shelter and the Home Hub, described the site as a collaboration among faith congregations and community groups and said they already host medical clinics, drop-in services and partner groups in addition to family shelter beds. Chambers told council the program is referral-based, has walk-in hours for people seeking resources and reported that roughly 70% of guests who use the program have moved into transitional or permanent housing.

Council discussion focused on safety and neighborhood impacts as well as the need for shelter capacity. Multiple council members commended the partnerships and staff for working with neighbors, but several asked for stronger coordination with city public safety and the county continuum of care. Councilmember Kim Roni recorded a formal “no” vote on the zoning amendment and explained she opposed changes that she saw as weakening board membership rules in another item; other council members noted the shelter ordinance and Code Purple timeline and the city attorney said the rezoning resolves a legal vulnerability relating to temporary approvals.

What the council did: The council voted to approve the conditional zoning and adopted the applicant’s conditions that define the site’s use (nightly shelter up to 35 beds and listed ancillary uses). Staff noted the shelter remains subject to city regulations, and city departments will continue coordination on safety, outreach and service referrals. Councilmembers asked staff and the shelter to keep neighbors informed and to work with the continuum of care and public health providers on outreach and case management.

Ending: The rezoning clears the building for long-term use as “Home Hub” on Haywood Road, a combination of nightly shelter, learning community and partner services. Council members and staff said the approval is one step in a larger, citywide effort to expand shelter capacity and coordinate outreach with public-safety, health and housing partners.