Asheville City Council
January 11, 2022
Regular meeting
HousingStreets and transitOther City businessBudget and taxes
The short version
9 decisions: 6 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 3 voted on separately.
- Council rezones phase II properties that includes approximately 128 acres of property from Regional Business (RB), River (RIV), Residential Multi-Family High Density District (RM16).
Council voted to rezone phase II properties that includes approximately 128 acres of property from Regional Business (RB), River (RIV), Residential Multi-Family High Density District (RM16), and Residential Single-Family Medium Density District (RS4) to Urban Place Form (UP) district.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Council rezones 235 Sardis Rd., with conditions, from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ).
Council voted to rezone 235 Sardis Rd., with conditions, from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ).
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Council rezones 990 Tunnel Rd., with conditions, from Residential Multi-family, Low Density (RM-6) to Office II Conditional Zone (O2-CZ).
Council voted to rezone 990 Tunnel Rd., with conditions, from Residential Multi-family, Low Density (RM-6) to Office II Conditional Zone (O2-CZ).
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
The short version is picked by a fixed rule, never by the order of the minutes: split votes and failed motions first, then changes to a program, a service or who qualifies, then the largest amounts, then budgets, zoning, laws and fees. Schedules, appointments, event permits and tax refunds come last.
The recording and the record
What changes
Only what the record supports for each item, and what's still pending.
- Council approves applying for the east Patton Avenue in relation to the I-26 interstate connector project.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to rezone phase II properties that includes approximately 128 acres of property from Regional Business (RB), River (RIV), Residential Multi-Family High Density District (RM16), and Residential Single-Family Medium Density District (RS4) to Urban Place Form (UP) district.
- What the City says it's for: “The rezoning will allow for the built environment of these properties to transition over time so that they become more urban and walkable, and better aligned with the city’s long-term goals.”
- “n Place Form District on September 28, 2021 along with the rezoning of phase I, which totalled approximately 122 acres of rezoned land.”
- “The rezoning will lead to a more efficient use of land that encourages housing and incentivizes affordable housing along transit routes.”
- “Staff have prepared an equity analysis of the proposed rezoning using the Racial Equity Toolkit: An Opportunity to Operationalize Equity, as prepared by the Local and Regional Government Alliance on Race and Equity.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to rezone 235 Sardis Rd., with conditions, from Commercial Industrial (CI) to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ).
- What the City says it's for: “This project proposes sidewalks that range in width from 6-10 feet and will be seeking a modification to this requirement for some sections through the conditional zoning.”
- “The property is currently zoned Commercial Industrial (CI) and the applicant is seeking a rezoning via conditional zoning to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ) due to the number of residential units.”
- “Five of the six buildings are proposed to be four stories with the sixth building identified as three stories.”
- “The maximum height of the four story building is 52 feet and the maximum height of the three story building is 40 feet.”
What that means
- Conditional zoning:
- Zoning for one property with conditions the owner must follow, such as a site plan or a cap on size.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More
Council voted to rezone 990 Tunnel Rd., with conditions, from Residential Multi-family, Low Density (RM-6) to Office II Conditional Zone (O2-CZ).
- What the City says it's for: “The rezoning and commercial development will be limited to Lot 1 which will meet all dimensional requirements for the proposed O2 zoning.”
- “The project site consists of a 0.99 acre portion of a larger 1.39 acre parcel located at 990 Tunnel Rd. (PIN 9668-07-8758)”
- “This petition includes a single two-story professional office building to be used as a dental clinic, along with surface parking, sidewalk, landscaping and related site improvements.”
- “The subject property is proposed to be subdivided with Lot 2 to remain residentially zoned and reserved for future residential development.”
What that means
- Conditional zoning:
- Zoning for one property with conditions the owner must follow, such as a site plan or a cap on size.
Approved together on the consent agenda
6 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council approves a contract with Harper Corp. General.
More
- The money, in the minutes' words: “General Contractors, in the amount of $6,734,000.00, for the Dr.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More
Council voted to approve applying for the east Patton Avenue in relation to the I-26 interstate connector project from the french broad Metropolitan Planning Organization to prepare a Transportation connectivity and land use study. It also lets the City accept the money if the grant is awarded.
Still pending: This is a request. The City gets the money only if the grant is awarded.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Consideration to authorize the City Manager to submit a grant application to the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) in the amount of $350,000; and if awarded, accept the fund and execute the necessary agreements.”
- “Transportation and Planning staff propose to request funds for a comprehensive land use and transportation network plan for an approximately ½ mile wide corridor of Patton Avenue; starting from the eastern end of the Captain Bowen Bridge and ending at Pritchard Park.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council carries over money for contracts and orders from last year.
More
Council voted to move money left from last year into this year's budget, to pay for contracts, purchase orders and other items that carried over.
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More
Council voted to approve an agreement with Ann Lowell to allow a sewer connection on city-owned property at 29 Oak Hill Drive.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The fair market value of the easement in the amount of $345 will benefit the General Fund.”
- “The property is currently served by a septic system that is failing.”
- “The property owner provided a map that showed that the connection is at the rear property line and the easement would consist of 150 square feet.”
- “The property is being land banked for affordable housing, but the development timetable is uncertain at this point.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More
Council voted to approve a sole source justification purchase of equipment and Services from Carolina Recording Systems LLC. It also approves the City Manager to enter into a contract with them for Eventide 9-1-1 Audio Logging integration.
- What the City says it's for: “This contract will provide the needed software license and components for them to interface our radio system to the County's logger.”
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council amends Donation Agreements with Asheville City Schools Foundation.
More
Council voted to amend Donation Agreements with Asheville City Schools Foundation.
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Everything on the agenda
From the minutes, in the order the City lists them. Each item's first lines are the minutes' own words.
CONSENT AGENDA
6 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Audit presentation
“Finance Director Tony McDowell introduced Mr. Robert Bittner, Partner of PMMares, who presented City Council the financial results for the year ended June 30, 2021, outlining the performances of revenues and expenses, compliance issues they must review, and the components of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report.”
Manager’s Report
“American Rescue Act Plan Process Update Assistant to the City Manager Jaime Matthews updated City Council on the American Rescue Act Plan process.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to rezone approximately 128 acres of property along South Tunnel Road from Regional Business district, River district, RM-16 Residential Multi-Family High Density District, and RS-4 residential single-family medium density…
“Urban Planner Vaidila Satvika said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to rezone approximately 128 acres of property from Regional Business District, River District, RM-16 Residential Multi-Family High Density District, and RS-4 Residential Single-Family Medium Density District to Urban Place Form District.”
Public hearing to conditionally rezone 235 Sardis Road from Commercial Industrial District to Residential Expansion/ Conditional Zone
“Principal Planner Shannon Tuch said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone 235 Sardis Road from Commercial Industrial District to Residential 1-11-22 Page 16 Expansion/Conditional Zone.”
Public hearing to conditionally zone a portion of 990 Tunnel Road from RM-6 Residential Multi-Family Low Density District to Office II District/Conditional Zone
“Principal Planner Shannon Tuch said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to conditionally zone a portion of 990 Tunnel Road from RM-6 Residential Multi-Family Low Density District to Office II District/Conditional Zone.”
NEW BUSINESS
Support of water resources department’s participation in the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
“Water Resources Director David Melton said that this is consideration of approval to participate in N.C. Dept. of Health & Human Services (NCDHHS) Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Background:”
Boards & commissions
“Regarding the Design Review Committee, it was the consensus of City Council to postpone any appointments until the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission makes their appointments.”
Summaries are written by hand from the minutes, and every number and name in them is checked against the minutes' own words. An item not written yet shows a summary built by fixed rules from its official title. Every item shows its official title. Procedural motions, like approving the agenda or adjourning, are left out.