South Slope The South Slope Visioning process is a planning process led by the City of Asheville with the community and business stakeholders in the South Slope to develop a long term vision for the area. Once the plan is finalized, it will be presented to City Council for adoption. Staff will then work with the community to implement the community’s vision for the South Slope. What is the South Slope? The South Slope is the area of town south of the Downtown core. There is actually a little overlap between the Downtown, Southside and South Slope study area. The objectives of the South Slope Vision Plan are to: Assess existing and needed infrastructure that will support a growing tax base. Assess and prioritize multimodal transportation and streetscape and intersection improvements (in coordination with the Asheville in Motion Plan). Promote quality development by identifying preferred land uses, strategies for encouraging innovative and sustainable forms of development, and evaluating city-owned property for its highest and best use. Contribute to a strong local economy by facilitating private investment, job growth, small business and entrepreneurship. Preserve and encourage a unique sense of place by celebrating the people and culture of the area, past and present. Ensure the safety of all who work, live and visit the district. Timeline November 2017 to February 2018 – Initial Community Input on Vision Plan February 2018 to March 2018 – Staff develops draft concepts, visuals and strategies. March 2018 to April 2018 – Draft concepts presented for community feedback November 2019 to December 2019 – Draft Plan presented to Advisory Committee December 2019 to January 2020 – Review of Draft Plan by Public March 2020 to April 2020 – Review and Approval of Final Plan by Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council Previous Input Opportunities February 26, 2018 – Status Update Meeting at 6 p.m. January 30, 2018 – Drop-In Open House from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. January 20, 2018 – from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Design Workshop November 16, 2017 – at 5:30 p.m.- South Slope Visioning Kick-Off meeting November 2017 to February 2018 – The Pop-Up Studio at the Refinery was open every Thursday and Friday. This space saw over 100 stakeholders drop-in and give input. Several small group stake-holder meetings took place in the studio space. An on-line survey about the South Slope was taken by 152 people. See the survey information. Related Projects The South Slope Vision Plan will form the foundation for other projects happening in the next 3 years including: Re-design of South Lexington and Coxe Avenues Greenway Connector (River to Ridge) project- input will be gathered at the same time of the South Slope Visioning Plan Biltmore and McDowell complete street feasibility study Downtown Master Plan Update Memorial Field and Mountain Side Park are bond projects and this visioning plan may inform redevelopment of these projects Public parking policy and affordable housing development Work in Progress South Slope Visioning Work In Progress Presentation Based on several community input meetings, staff has put together a presentation reporting on the progress for the South Slope Vision Plan. Over the next few months, staff will revise this plan with additional input. Maps and Resources Check out this folder will several maps to see details. The South Slope Visioning Plan The South Slope Visioning Plan covers some of the commercial areas some of downtown, but not the nearby residential areas. Coxe Avenue, Asheland Avenue and S. Lexington are the main north-south streets in the area. The plan will also includes parts of McDowell and Biltmore Avenues. Lee Walker Heights – which already went through a planning process separately – in also in the area. The Vision Plan will not re-plan Lee Walker Heights, but will look at the connections for cars, pedestrians, bikers for everywhere in the area. The plan will answer questions such as these: How tall should buildings be in the area? How can we make streets better for everyone? (Sidewalks, benches, bike lanes, trees) Are there places for public gathering spaces? What businesses should we try to encourage in the area? Where can we put future housing? What infrastructure needs to be put in place (Water lines, sewer, high speed data lines)? How can we honor the history of this area today? What needs to be preserved? How can we support business owners – current and future? Why is it called the South Slope? The City of Asheville took the name of South Slope that has been coined by the businesses in one part of this area. However, it is clear that this is a part of the larger, historical Southside community. During this process, staff will be taking input on the name and it may evolve during this process. Is the City planning on redeveloping property in this area? The majority of the land in this area is privately owned. There are city owned parcels – on Asheland Avenue, and nearby on South Charlotte Street, that the City Council has directed staff to look at for affordable housing, and possibly mixed use. The City has an option on the former Matthews Ford site that includes an easement for the current Lee-Walker Heights redevelopment plan. The plan being developed for the South Slope will provide opportunities for folks to give input what they would like to see in general for the whole area. Get Involved Your community representatives on the South Slope Advisory committee are: Greg Benton, NC-DOT Brent Campbell, Downtown Commission Jon Creighton, Buncombe County Brian DeWine, Asheville Tourists Craig Jeffries, Asheville Downtown Association Pat Kappes, Explore Asheville CVB Jon Kemske, Downtown Asheville Residential Neighbors (DARN) Jael Rattigan, SS Neighborhood Assn., French Broad Chocolate Lounge Crystal Reid, Lee Walker Heights Meghan Rogers, Asheville Downtown Association Kendra Turner, Asheville Brewers Alliance Austin Tyler /Sonya Greck, Mission Hospital Jason Walls, Duke Progress Tobias Weas, Downtown Commission Troy Wilson, NC-DOT Contact Information Sasha Vrtunski Urban Planner and South Slope Project Manager 828-259-5560