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Board approves Laurelwood Village Phase 2 special‑use permit to add four townhomes
Summary
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment approved a special‑use permit revision to add four townhomes to the existing Laurelwood Village development, granting reduced lot size and building‑separation standards subject to conditions including a recorded subdivision plat and easement to Waitstill Drive.
The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment on a voice vote approved a special‑use permit revision allowing Laurelwood Village Phase 2 to add four townhome units to an already approved planned unit development.
The revision, filed as ZPH2025‑00009 by Tim Fleischauer of Sam Howard Properties LLC, covers a roughly 4‑acre open‑space parcel off Hartleaf Circle in South Asheville. Staff described the request as a second phase that would add four townhome units in the western portion of the parcel and would require reduced setbacks, smaller lots and a reduced building separation to match the existing townhome pattern.
Jason Payne, a planning staff member, summarized the application and the staff recommendation. Payne said the request is “consistent with those deviations” made for the original phase and that the parking requirements are satisfied. He recommended approval with conditions including that a major subdivision plat be submitted, recorded and shown in Buncombe County GIS before site‑plan review and that the plat show a legally deeded easement connection to the private road Waitstill Drive.
Michael Goforth of High Country Engineering, representing the developer, told the board the four new units would be similar to the buildings already on site and would be accessed through two shared private driveways off Waitstill Drive. Goforth answered board questions about retaining walls, saying the rear wall near the Duke Power easement would be about 15 feet tall and another between units would be roughly 4–6 feet tall.
A board member moved the findings of fact and later moved approval of the special‑use permit. The board voted in favor; the motion carried and the chair directed staff to present a formal order incorporating the conditions discussed at the hearing.
Conditions the board included in the approval (as stated on the record) require: submittal and recording of a major subdivision plat with new pins reflected in Buncombe County GIS prior to site‑plan application; demonstration of a legally deeded easement to Waitstill Drive; construction consistent with the submitted site plan; submission of a site development plan depicting exact building locations, retaining walls, landscaping and easements prior to land‑disturbing activity; and copies of any required permits from state or federal agencies (Army Corps, NCDOT, NCDEQ) where applicable. The order also notes that each building within the PUD will still require its own individual site‑plan permit.
The applicant and staff accepted the conditions on the record. The board adopted written findings that the proposal meets the Buncombe County Code provisions for planned‑unit development and special‑use permits and directed the county attorney to prepare an order reflecting the board’s decision.
The board did not record a roll‑call tally in the public record; the approval was taken by voice vote and announced as passed.
The developer must complete the plat and site‑plan steps required by the conditions before construction proceeds.
