Council approves conditional zoning for 19-unit multifamily building at 215 Glenbridge Road

Asheville City Council unanimously approved a conditional zoning request to rezone 215 Glenbridge Road from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Commercial Industrial Conditional Zone (CICZ) to permit a three-story, 19-unit multifamily building.

Will Palmquist, planning and urban design staff, presented the application and explained that the half-acre site is vacant and currently zoned Commercial Industrial. Palmquist said staff recommended approval, finding the project consistent with the Living Asheville comprehensive plan and noting that it "supports a number of goals in the comprehensive plan, including to encourage responsible growth by prioritizing greater density development overall throughout the city as appropriate." The Technical Review Committee approved the project with conditions on April 7 and the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval on May 7.

Project details and zoning rationale The proposed development, called Studios at Glenbridge, is a three-story structure containing 19 studio units with podium parking (20 spaces total: 12 surface and eight under the building). Palmquist explained that the existing CI district allows 8 units per acre; on a roughly 0.5-acre site the proposed 19 units translate to about 35.2 units per acre, which is why the applicant sought conditional zoning to obtain a technical modification for density.

Council questions and applicant responses Councilmembers asked about solar readiness and stormwater. Palmquist said there are no project conditions that require solar; the applicant indicated they will work with a solar consultant and consider making the building "solar ready" where feasible. On stormwater, staff said the project meets the required stormwater and grading permits and is below the maximum permitted impervious surface; the applicant's engineer was present to address technical questions if needed.

Vote and context After a brief public hearing with no speakers, a councilmember moved to approve the conditional zoning request and to find the application consistent with the comprehensive plan; council approved the motion unanimously.

Ending With the vote, the applicant may proceed to permitting subject to the conditions recorded by the TRC and the standard permit review process; staff said they will provide follow-up information on specific engineering or stormwater techniques if council requests further details as the project advances.