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Asheville councilors debate short-term measures to boost downtown recovery after storm
Summary
Council members discussed temporary regulatory changes and event-based strategies — including social-district-style event zones, temporary noise allowances and food truck/push-cart expansions — but did not direct staff to change ordinances. Members urged community partners to propose pilot plans for committee review.
Council members and staff on June 18 discussed a package of possible, short-term actions to support downtown businesses and cultural venues still recovering after the recent storm, but stopped short of directing ordinance changes.
The discussion centered on several ideas: temporarily increasing the number of special-permit events that can exceed the city—s decibel limits, piloting event-based social districts (allowing businesses to sell alcohol within a closed-block event footprint instead of a single festival operator), and loosening rules for push carts and food trucks to increase activation and foot traffic.
Why it matters: Council members said downtown activation could help small businesses and workers still feeling the economic impact of the storm. Council member Beau Hess urged quick, practical measures, saying, "we are…
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