Stern stormwater variance hearing continues amid dispute over social‑media contacts and alternate access options

The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment continued its evidentiary review of a requested stormwater setback variance for property owned by Betsy and Allen Stern after extended testimony and cross‑examination revealed public contacts to board members, unresolved questions about alternative access routes, and pending engineering work.

At the start of the continued hearing on ZPH2025‑00005, staff disclosed that a Reddit post and Facebook postings about the case had appeared and that some board members’ phone numbers had been published; several members acknowledged receiving phone calls and text messages. Chair Andy Ball and staff emphasized the quasi‑judicial nature of the board and reminded members that “only evidence presented at the hearing can be considered” in a variance decision.

Savannah Glantz (planning staff) and Victoria Hoyland (county stormwater engineer) then provided technical context. Hoyland explained the distinction in state and county stormwater rules between low‑density and high‑density water‑quality standards and said the key question is whether impervious surface inside the vegetated 30‑foot setback may be allowed only if the site meets the higher…