Council approves zoning changes, right‑of‑way closure, grant renewals and park funding designation

The Woodfin Town Council voted on a series of land‑use and funding items at its Aug. 19 meeting. All motions passed unanimously (five‑zero) as recorded by the mayor. Key actions taken were:

Rocky River Apartments (Ordinance 2025‑14) — Conditional zoning modification approved The council held a public hearing and approved a modification to a previously approved conditional zoning for the Rocky River Apartments project on Reynolds Mountain Boulevard. The modification breaks the originally single 120‑unit affordable building into three smaller buildings, adjusts parking and retaining walls, and carries forward previously adopted conditions. Planning staff reported the site remains largely a previously disturbed area; staff recommended approval and the planning board had recommended approval. Outcome: approved (voice vote recorded as unanimous). Applicant representatives Andrea Gonzalez and Charles Stittrick were on the line and staff indicated the project had secured initial county bond funding.

Puffin Lane property rezoning (Ordinance 2025‑15) — R‑10 to CS (conditional) approved The council approved a conditional rezoning for a 0.92‑acre parcel at 3 Puffin Lane (near Kirby) from R‑10 residential to community shopping conditional zone, subject to conditions that narrowed permitted uses (for example, excluding day‑care and higher‑traffic uses) and imposed buffer requirements. Planning staff said the request would convert an abandoned/foreclosed property to a limited commercial use intended to buffer nearby residences from more intensive commercial uses on Weaverville Road. Outcome: approved 5–0.

Crescent Avenue right‑of‑way closure — approved Council approved closing an unopened section of Crescent Avenue between 74 and 86 Crestfield Avenue. Staff said the 25‑foot strip is a steep cut slope that currently provides no practical future public connection and recommended closure; the petitioner(s) will be required to recombine any resulting nonconforming lot that would otherwise be landlocked. Outcome: approved 5–0; motion included a condition requiring recombination of any lots made nonconforming by the closure.

Community Partners grants (FY2026 allocations) — renewals and reallocation approved Council renewed grant funding agreements for 2026, including: - ABCCM emergency assistance: $50,000 (renewal) - Newbridge Baptist Church: recommended allocation $8,500 (previously Catholic Charities; $6,000 plus $2,500 surplus) for non‑food and supplemental food items - Asheville Greenworks: extension of prior grant window into FY2026 for river cleanup work and to allow delayed work due to Helene Staff told council that two previously allocated 2025 grants (Catholic Charities and a RiverLink program) had not been drawn and proposed reallocating or not renewing those specific line items. Outcome: motion approved 5–0.

Designation of Woodfin ABC proceeds — directed to parks and greenways Council voted to allow the Woodfin ABC store to advertise that its allocations to the town will be directed to support parks and greenways; the motion designated ABC proceeds for town parks and related greenway/blueway needs. Outcome: approved 5–0.

Consent agenda approval The council approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting; council also noted a correction requested to a Walk/Bike plan item where staff clarified a STIP listing is only conceptual and not yet funded. Outcome: approved (voice vote recorded as unanimous).

Several items required no roll‑call vote in the minutes and were approved by voice vote as recorded; staff will finalize ordinance numbers and record the required map amendment for the Puffin Lane parcel.