Housing debate centers on manufactured homes, 'missing middle' and anti‑displacement strategies

The Buncombe County planning discussion turned to housing affordability and displacement, with participants weighing short‑term measures such as allowing more single‑wide or manufactured homes against longer‑term concerns about concentrated low‑quality housing and neighborhood character.

Several participants urged exploring regulatory adjustments that would expand immediate, lower‑cost housing options; others cautioned that simply loosening zoning could concentrate older manufactured housing stock and produce long‑term equity problems. Staff recommended evaluating current regulations, proposing targeted actions to promote "missing middle" housing (small multiunit types such as duplexes, triplexes and cottage courts) and adding measures in the anti‑displacement section to clarify protections and preservation strategies.

Staff explained what the county can and cannot require — for example, many development standards and building code triggers (including fire‑safety second‑access requirements or sprinkler options) are governed by state code — and said the county can best contribute through incentives, technical assistance, targeted zoning changes, and advocacy. Participants asked staff to draft specific actions: (1) assess zoning barriers to missing‑middle types, (2) add actions to protect existing residents and preserve neighborhood character, and (3) investigate advocacy or grant strategies to support deeply affordable development.

On temporary or pre‑approved housing plans, staff noted other jurisdictions have tried pre‑approved plan programs with mixed uptake and warned that plan modifications undo pre‑approval benefits. Staff said they will research program examples and regulatory constraints and return recommended wording.

The meeting did not adopt any formal motion; staff will circulate revised plan language incorporating the suggested housing actions for further review.