August 24, 2021Asheville City Council
From the minutes, not yet reviewedCouncil rezones 144 and 159 Riverside Dr., with conditions.
Council voted to rezone 144 and 159 Riverside Dr., with conditions, from River Arts District - Open Space (RAD-OSP) and River Arts District - River (RAD-RIV) to River Arts District - Open Space Conditional Zone (RAS-OSP CZ) and Commercial Expansion - Conditional Zone (COM EXP - CZ).
- Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney, Sage Turner.
- Who it's for: Households earning up to 80% of the area median income: up to $81,920 a year for a family of four, or $57,360 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).
- What the City says it's for: “The project provides vegetated screening along the parking lot proposed at 144 Riverside Drive in accordance with the guidelines; 3.”
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.
More from the minutes
- “rement but exceeds the maximum story height of five stories by one story, resulting in a six-story building for approximately half of the building. 2.”
- “The applicant proposes to provide two glass enclosed openings, allowing light but preventing air movement and the movement of people from the front to the back of the site.”
- “Increases the supply of housing, including affordable housing.”
Official title: Council approved conditional zoning for 144 and 159 Riverside Dr.
Carried 5–2
From the minutes: This motion was seconded by Councilwoman Kilgore and carried on a 5-2 vote with Councilwoman Roney and Councilwoman Turner voting “no.”
Read the motion as recorded
“Councilwoman Mosley moved to approve the conditional zoning request for the property located at 144 and 159 Riverside Dr. from River Arts District - Open Space (RAD-OSP) and River Arts District - River (RAD-RIV) to River Arts District - Open Space Conditional Zone (RAS-OSP CZ) and Commercial Expansion - Conditional Zone (COM EXP - CZ) and find that the request is reasonable, is in the public interest, is consistent with the city’s comprehensive plan, and meets 8-24-21 Page 33 the development needs of the community in that the request: 1) supports infill development in a strategically located area; 2) sets aside units to be affordable to those earning 80% AMI; 3) expands opportunities for bike and pedestrian access to businesses, parks and open spaces; 4) provides green stormwater infrastructure improving community resilience; 5) develops an underutilized property (brownfield site); and, 6) preserves historic structures.”
Open the minutesMotion text in the minutes