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Buncombe County Planning Board approves emergency-housing zoning amendment with modifications
Summary
The Planning Board approved a zoning text amendment to allow temporary emergency housing after the storm, clarifying eligibility, shortening wastewater timelines for RVs, and asking staff to seek standards and funding for geotechnical reviews for low- and moderate-income residents.
The Buncombe County Planning Board on Nov. 18 approved a text amendment to chapter 78 of the county zoning ordinance to allow emergency housing after a declared disaster, with several board-mandated changes.
Planning staff presented the amendment as a response to damage from Tropical Storm Helen, saying it would define emergency housing, revise the travel-trailer definition and add emergency housing as a permitted use in all zoning districts with special requirements. "The purpose of the proposed text amendment is to address emergency housing and emergency housing standards, address short term temporary housing needs for people experiencing the housing impact because of a declared federal, state or local disaster," Planning staff member Jillian said during the presentation.
Key changes approved by the board include clarified eligibility language so an "applicant or owner must provide proof that a structure occupied as a primary residence was damaged or made inaccessible by the declared disaster," and a modified utilities requirement for travel trailers: they must connect to potable water and electrical service within the adopted timeframes or provide a continuing contract for waste removal. The board voted to require connection to a wastewater system within three months of placement or proof of an ongoing contract to remove waste for the duration of the permit, instead of the draft's six-month window.
Board members also insisted that geotechnical requirements remain in place for overlay districts such as the steep-slope and protected-ridge overlays; staff said those geotechnical standards are retained for those areas. In addition, the board asked staff to bring back written standards for zoning-administrator exceptions and recommended that the county explore providing funding or technical assistance to secure geotechnical reviews for low- and moderate-income residents.
A board member moved to approve the amendment as modified and the motion passed by voice vote. The board will forward the modified text amendment to the county commissioners for their consideration.
