Well-planned and Livable Community Archives

Well-planned and Livable Community

A Council Vision Focus Area

Asheville promotes community through thoughtful, resident-led planning that results in pedestrian oriented development for all ages and abilities throughout the City, harmonized with an integrated transportation system. Asheville’s unique character is reflected in our regional planning, land use, preserved in our historic structures, and honored when incorporated in new development. Thoroughfares are lined with thriving businesses mixed with residential and commercial uses. Neighborhoods are safe, socioeconomically diverse, and have a range of affordable housing choices. Open spaces, parks, greenways, community gardens, and edible landscapes are abundant throughout the city.

Note: Asheville operates on a fiscal year (FY) basis that runs from July 1 through June 30, with the fiscal year designated by the year in which it ends. For example, FY24 begins on July 1, 2023 and ends on June 30, 2024.

Work Supporting Well-planned and Livable Community

FY24

(July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024)

South Slope Vision Plan (Postponed)(Began in FY22, due to complete in FY24) Create a framework to guide long-term development in the Southside South Slope area. Work on the plan originally started in late 2017, but was interrupted by the COVID19 pandemic. It was restarted in FY22.
Stephens Lee Improvements (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Exterior and interior improvements that significantly enhance usability while extending the life of this historic community asset.
Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park Upgrades (In Progress)(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Create a new track and walking trail and upgrade restroom and playground facilities to improve community health, community-building, and track events hosting.
Emergency Operations and Continuity of Operations Plans (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Conduct a comprehensive review and update the City’s emergency operations and continuity of operations plans to ensure that we can effectively respond to and recover from any hazards that threaten our community.
Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term use and development of the City’s Parks and Recreation facilities and programming to ensure that community needs are served well and efficiently.
Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Study In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Identify ways to enhance the design of downtown’s western gateway and improve connectivity between neighborhoods and mixed-use centers.
Permitting/Land Management Software Replacement (In Progress)(Began in FY24, due to complete in FY25) Replace the current software system used for permitting and land management with a modern version.

FY23

(July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023)

South Slope Vision Plan (Postponed)(Began in FY22, due to complete in FY24) Create a framework to guide long-term development in the Southside South Slope area. Work on the plan originally started in late 2017, but was interrupted by the COVID19 pandemic. It was restarted in FY22.
Open Space Text Amendment (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY23) On July 26, 2022, the Asheville City Council adopted updates to the City’s Open Space standards that primarily affect the development of private property. The updates align with the City’s adopted comprehensive plan, Living Asheville, by improving the quality of open spaces, balancing preservation of the natural and built environments and accommodating the need to provide new and diverse housing. Impact: Creation of more affordable housing units in the city to increase supply and release housing pressures by removing a significant regulatory barrier that has limited infill housing over the past two decades.
Stephens Lee Improvements (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Exterior and interior improvements that significantly enhance usability while extending the life of this historic community asset.
Memorial Stadium and Mountainside Park Upgrades (In Progress)(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Create a new track and walking trail and upgrade restroom and playground facilities to improve community health, community-building, and track events hosting.
Land Development Service Enhancements (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY23) Reorganized staff in the City’s private land development functions in the Development Services and Planning and Urban Design Departments for improved process and better service to community stakeholders. Impact: Improved efficiency in services provided for private land development.
Emergency Operations and Continuity of Operations Plans (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY24) Conduct a comprehensive review and update the City’s emergency operations and continuity of operations plans to ensure that we can effectively respond to and recover from any hazards that threaten our community.
Park Maintenance Facility Relocation (Complete)(Began in FY23, Completed in FY23) Created a central maintenance facility to replace the facilities, utilities, and yard storage areas at Parks’ existing operations headquarters at 3 Hunt Hill Place & Gashes Creek Road. The project included an upfit of an office/warehouse building on approximately 3 acres located at 81 Thompson Street through a lease agreement with NCDOT - Rail Division. Renovations began in November 2022 and Parks and Recreation staff moved in at the beginning of April 2023. Impact: Reuse of existing city buildings for community recreation, reduction of the impact on surrounding neighborhoods and improved internal operations.
Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term use and development of the City’s Parks and Recreation facilities and programming to ensure that community needs are served well and efficiently.
Downtown Patton Avenue Corridor Study In Progress(Began in FY23, due to complete in FY24) Identify ways to enhance the design of downtown’s western gateway and improve connectivity between neighborhoods and mixed-use centers.

FY22

(July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022)

South Slope Vision Plan (Postponed)(Began in FY22, due to complete in FY24) Create a framework to guide long-term development in the Southside South Slope area. Work on the plan originally started in late 2017, but was interrupted by the COVID19 pandemic. It was restarted in FY22.

Government