Asheville City Council
September 24, 2024
Regular meeting
Other City businessBudget and taxesPublic safetyStreets and transitHousingHomelessness
The short version
14 decisions: 9 approved together in one consent-agenda vote, and 5 voted on separately. 2 votes split.
- Council rezones 107 Glendale Ave from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Residential Multi-Family High Density (RM-16).
Council voted to rezone 107 Glendale Ave from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Residential Multi-Family High Density (RM-16).
Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
- Council changes the deed restriction at the former Ramada at 148 River Ford Parkway to 50 units of permanent supportive housing.
Council voted to change the deed restriction at the former Ramada at 148 River Ford Parkway to 50 units of permanent supportive housing and 50 units of affordable housing.
Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
- Council approves the allocation of $500,000 in ARPA funding for homelessness services to Code Purple.
Council voted to approve the allocation of $500,000 in ARPA funding for homelessness services to Code Purple in the amount of $278,000 and to Emergency Shelter and Supportive Services in the amount of $222,000 and receive recommendations from the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care prior to awarding specific projects.
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 residents raised
The topics public speakers raised, as the minutes list them. These are residents' comments, not findings.
- universal basic income
- conditional zoning thresholds, request for Council to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza
- invitation to Jewish Voice for Peace ritual event
- support for anti-displacement strategies
- need to relocate speed limit sign on Woodfin
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
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Council voted to rezone 107 Glendale Ave from Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8) to Residential Multi-Family High Density (RM-16).
- What the City says it's for: “The purpose of the Residential Multi-Family High Density (RM-16) district is, “to permit a full range of high density multi-family housing types along with limited institutional, public and commercial uses appropriate within high density residential areas.”
- “The rezoning petition consists of one property totalling 0.89 acres and located at 107 Glendale Ave (PIN 9658-20-6956).”
- “The project site is within the greater Oakley neighborhood, predominated by single-family houses, and approximately one-quarter to one-half mile from the commercial and industrial uses around the intersection of Thompson St and Glendale Ave.”
- “The property is currently zoned Residential Single-Family High Density (RS-8).”
Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
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Council voted to change the deed restriction at the former Ramada at 148 River Ford Parkway to 50 units of permanent supportive housing and 50 units of affordable housing.
- “with Stormfield Capital to purchase 148 River Ford Parkway, the former Ramada, to create 113 units of affordable housing.”
- “Closing is anticipated October 1, 2024 with occupancy projected for December 2025; (2) To accomplish this, Friendship is requesting a modification of the City’s current deed restriction from 100 units of supportive housing to 50 units of supportive housing and 50 units of affordable housing.”
- “No City funds are requested to develop these units.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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Council voted to approve the allocation of $500,000 in ARPA funding for homelessness services to Code Purple in the amount of $278,000 and to Emergency Shelter and Supportive Services in the amount of $222,000 and receive recommendations from the Asheville-Buncombe Continuum of Care prior to awarding specific projects.
- “Councilwoman Turner was concerned over the loss of the other 50 permanent supportive housing units and wondered if the CoC will be looking to find more of those units.”
- “In response to Councilwoman Turner about the blending of individuals who need permanent supportive services and those that do not, Ms. Getachew explained that there are two separate buildings and one building will be for the veterans and the other building will be for the other units of affordable housing.”
- “There are some permanent supportive services in the affordable housing building, such as financial literacy classes, how to build a resume, dress for success classes, etc.”
Passed.
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- “Street Buffer: 8’-wide minimum Street Trees: 1 tree per 40’ Parking Decks: Exposed parking decks are required to plant a minimum of one tree and two shrubs for every 30 linear feet of the parking structure's perimeter Consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and Other Plans: Living Asheville Comprehensive Plan (2018)”
- “Mr. Palmquist reviewed the aerial imagery being 42 properties totaling approximately 10 acres; Currently vacant; Former Hill Street neighborhood; Isaac Dickson Elementary school to the west; Stream located to the north; ART Route N3 along Hill St; and Walkable to Downtown via Montford Ave and I-240 pedestrian bridge.”
- “He said they will have a minimum of 5% affordable housing in this project.”
Council approves the proposed text amendments to Articles II and Article XIX to the UDO.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
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- “The proposed amendments are focused on creating code elements that support the lessons learned by staff and developers to make the code more usable and therefore effective at Tree Canopy Preservation.”
Approved together on the consent agenda
9 items, approved in one vote without separate discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
Council approves the documentation.
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Council voted to approve the documentation. It also approves officers of the City of asheville to pursue on behalf of the City debt financing associated with the refunding of the $42 million 2022 Limited Obligation Bonds.
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The City issued its most recent interim LOBs in June 2022 in an amount not to exceed $42 million.”
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.
- Bonds:
- Bonds are loans the City pays back over many years, with interest.
Official title
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- The money, in the minutes' words: “In June of 2020, a contract amendment with Equinox was issued for completing design, construction documents and permitting for a total fee of not to exceed $657,930.42”
- “The constructed greenway will be approximately 1 mile in length connecting Glendale Avenue to Bleachery Boulevard.”
- “Funding for this contract is currently budgeted in the General Capital Projects Fund.”
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
- What the City says it's for: “The contract work is expected to begin in late September and to last until the new internal crew is staffed.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a contract with B.H. Graning Landscapes, Inc. in the amount of $171,690.00 plus a 31.0% contingency of $53,224.00, for a project total of $224,914.00, for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Utility Cut Concrete Repair contract.”
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.
- Fiscal year:
- The City's budget year runs from July 1 to June 30. Fiscal year 2027 runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
Council sets new speed limits.
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Council voted to set new speed limits, including 25 miles per hour on Haywood Road from Patton Avenue to Oakwood Street and Haywood Road from Westwood Place to Riverview Drive.
- “NCDOT conducted a traffic-engineering study for NC-81 (Swannanoa River Road) from Bryson Street to US 70 (Tunnel Road) and determined that the speed limit should be reduced from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.”
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
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.
- After the fact:
- Council approves something the City already did. This often happens in an emergency, when there's no time to wait for a meeting.
Official title
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- What the City says it's for: “The requested contract change orders will allow staff to encumber those amounts in the City’s financial system.”
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 contract with Parker Technology, LLC for the purpose of providing continued 2407 video-based customer service at City parking garages.
- “Neither proposal was from an MWBE firm and both firms proposed to self-perform the service.”
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 accept a rescission of $1,374,797 of section 5307 Urban Federal Transit Grant Funds from Buncombe County; agrees to comply with any lawful and reasonable conditions imposed upon such funds; authorizes expenditures from such funds.
- What the City says it's for: “The funds will enhance the City’s ability to continue to provide ART transit service.”
- “A solicitation is currently advertised to select a firm to conduct a Transit Comprehensive Operational Assessment (TCOA).”
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 renews its agreement with the City of Asheville and Reems Creek Fire Department.
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Council voted to renew its agreement with the City of Asheville and Reems Creek Fire Department.
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.
PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamation proclaiming October 2024 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”
“Councilwoman Ullman read the proclamation proclaiming October 2024, as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in the City of Asheville.”
CONSENT AGENDA
9 consent-agenda items, approved together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Manager’s report
“Community Engagement Academy Communication & Public Engagement Manager Kristina Israel, said that the Community Engagement Academy is a CAPE-led project funded by a 2021 American Rescue Plan Act grant.”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to permanently close approximately 140 feet of Sawyer Street, an open right-of-way connecting to Coxe Avenue, between the parcels addressed at 50 and 52 Coxe Avenue: City
“City Engineer Christopher Cairns said that this is the consideration of a resolution to permanently close approximately 140 feet of Sawyer Street, an open right-of-way, connecting to Coxe Avenue, between the parcels addressed as 50 and 52 Coxe Avenue.”
Public hearing to amend the adopted Urban Village Master Plan for 5 Michael Street for the purpose of amending the Site plan and proposed mix of land uses
“Councilwoman Turner moved to recuse Vice-Mayor Kilgore from participating in this matter due to a conflict of interest.”
Public hearing to consider rezoning 107 Glendale Avenue from RS-8 Residential Single-Family High Density District to RM-16 Residential Multi-Family High Density District
“Principal Planner Will Palmquist said that this is the consideration of an ordinance to rezone 107 Glendale Avenue from RS-8 Residential Single-Family High Density District to RM-16 Residential Multi-Family High Density District.”
Public hearing to consider an amendments to Article 19 of Chapter 7 the Code of Ordinances to update the Tree Canopy Protection standards
“Assistant Director of Planning & Urban Design Chris Collins said that this is the consideration of an ordinance amendment to Article 19 of Chapter 7 the Code of Ordinances to update the tree canopy protection standards.”
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to modify the deed restriction at 148 River Ford Parkway (formerly the Ramada inn property) to require 50 units of Permanent Supportive Housing and 50 units of Affordable Housing
“RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 21-265 WHICH ALLOCATED $500,000 IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) FUNDING AND $1 MILLION IN CITY CAPITAL FUNDING FOR THE PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AT 148 RIVER FORD PARKWAY (FORMERLY THE RAMADA INN PROPERTY) AND AUTHORIZING THE REALLOCATION OF THE $500,000…”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
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.