At the July 28 meeting, City Council took action on and received updates about a range of agenda items. The meeting included both Helene recovery and non-recovery items, with highlights including allocation of affordable housing bond funds to support home repair for low-income households, public hearings on several conditional zoning and rezoning requests, and consideration of a Council resolution aimed at minimizing displacement across the city.
Complete details on all agenda items and actions are available in the official meeting materials available on the City of Asheville website and a complete recording of the session is available on the City of Asheville YouTube channel.
HELENE RECOVERY ITEMS
From Consent:
This resolution authorizes the City Manager to execute an amendment to the CDBG-DR Subrecipient Agreement between the City of Asheville and the North Carolina Department of Commerce for the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program, increasing the obligated funding amount to $22,200,000 and updating the incorporated policies and program manuals.
“Last month, City Council approved additional funding to expand support for homeowners repairing and rebuilding homes damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. This resolution formalizes the agreement with the State, allowing these federal disaster recovery dollars to move forward and help more Asheville residents recover and rebuild,” said Director of Recovery and Resilience Bridget Herring.
Consent item D. Contract for demolition of damaged facilities within French Broad River Park APPROVED
This resolution authorizes a contract to demolish storm-damaged facilities along the French Broad River parks system. It also grants the City Manager authority to approve any necessary changes to the project during construction and adopts a budget amendment to formally account for the federal and state funding being provided for this work. Demolition will start after all required permits are obtained, a process that may take several months.
“By authorizing the removal of these damaged amenities, we are clearing the path for the French Broad Riverfront Park unified concept plan and actively reclaiming these essential public spaces for our residents,” said Capital & Asset Management Director Walter Ear. “This contract allows us to transition from damage assessment to tangible site restoration, ensuring we can rebuild a safer, more accessible riverfront park for everyone.”
Learn more about the French Broad Riverfront Parks Recovery project
NON-HELENE RECOVERY ITEMS
From Consent:
Consent item E. Authorizes Donation agreement to fund repair and improvement of City Hall Chimes APPROVED
Authorization of a donation from the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe County to modernize and repair the City Hall “Peace Chimes.” The donation will fund the transition of the historic 1932 chimes into a fully automated, synchronized system.
“The City Hall Chimes are a rare musical treasure woven into the Asheville skyline and the fabric of our community,” said Capital & Assets Management Director Walter Ear. “Through this partnership with the Preservation Society, we’re not just repairing a piece of historic equipment; we’re bringing this post-WWI instrument back to life, allowing its music to once again ring out across downtown and to be enjoyed by our community.”
Consent item H. The 2025 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant from the United States Department of Justice APPROVED
Authorizes the City Manager to accept the 2025 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and to adopt a budget amendment in the City’s Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $80,471.80
“Ensuring our officers have essential protective equipment is fundamental to both officer safety and effective public safety,” said Interim Chief Jackie Stepp. “This funding provides the resources necessary for our personnel to safely respond to incidents while protecting the community they serve.”
Consent item I. The 2026 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Grant from the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy APPROVED 5 to 1
Authorizes the City Manager to accept the 2026 High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Grant on behalf of the Asheville HIDTA branch, execute all associated grant documents, and adopt a budget amendment in the City’s Special Revenue Fund in the amount of $160,904.
“Partnerships are one of our strongest tools in combating violent crime and drug trafficking. Drug trafficking and the violence that often accompanies it do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries. This HIDTA grant strengthens our regional partnerships and provides the resources needed to investigate complex criminal organizations, reduce violence, and improve public safety throughout our community, said Interim Chief Jackie Stepp.”
Consent item M. Resolution authorizing the City Manager to convey a portion of City-owned property located at 55 Hunt Hill Place to KL Training Solutions for the installation of a module school building APPROVED
This resolution allows the City to convey a portion of City-owned property on Hunt Hill Place to KL Training Solutions for $1 so the nonprofit can install a modular school building. The new space will expand the “My Daddy Taught Me That” youth development program, providing more after-school resources, mentoring, college and career readiness, job training and enrichment opportunities for low- and moderate-income youth. The property will be permanently restricted to community development and youth-serving uses, ensuring it continues to benefit the public.
Manager’s Report:
Draft Network of Asheville Rides Transit Comprehensive Operations Analysis
Learn more about the ART Comprehensive Operations Analysis
Public Hearings:
Public hearing to conditionally rezone 3862 Sweeten Creek Road from RM-16 Residential Multi-Family High Density to Residential Expansion – Conditional Zone APPROVED
Presentation
Public hearing to rezone 3 S. Tunnel Road from Urban Place to Regional Business APPROVED 4 to 2
Presentation
New Business:
Resolution authorizing the Home Repair Policy, and allocation of 2024 Affordable Housing Bond funds for the Home Repair Program APPROVED
The Home Repair program will disburse funds to agencies for low-income home repair, allowing residents to remain in their properties. Repairs can include roof replacements, HVAC replacement, etc.
“The adoption of the home repair policy and the funding to go with it means that staff can start the process for getting repair agencies under contract,” said Housing and Economic Development Director Nikki Reid. “We anticipate that between 68 and 108 low-income families will be served. We hope to have that work starting this Fall.”
Resolution supporting a comprehensive approach to minimizing displacement, supporting stability in neighborhoods adversely affected by and sensitive to local government action, private development, gentrification, and housing affordability amended motion APPROVED
This resolution supports the City of Asheville utilizing a comprehensive approach to minimizing the displacement of vulnerable residents from their neighborhoods due to rising housing costs and increasing development pressures. It creates a framework for the identification of areas vulnerable to displacement and the development of strategies that balance the need for new housing with the goal of keeping current residents in their homes and preserving neighborhood identity.
“This resolution represents a commitment to protecting existing neighborhoods from displacement and helping residents stay in the communities they’ve helped define,” said Assistant City Manager Ben Woody. “By integrating anti-displacement strategies into City policies, programs, and tools, we are proactively balancing the need for additional housing with preserving the long-standing neighborhood identity of our communities most at-risk of displacement.”