City of Asheville announces mask requirements for transit riders lifted as of Wednesday, April 27, 2022
mask requirement for transit riders will be lifted on Wednesday, April 27, 2022
NC Court of Appeals affirms decision in removal of Vance Monument
This morning, the North Carolina Court of Appeals issued a decision in the lawsuit filed against the City regarding the removal of the Vance Monument. In its decision, the Court affirmed the previous decision of the Buncombe County Superior Court which dismissed all of the claims against the City. This result allows the City to proceed [...]
Judge dismisses lawsuit seeking to block the City from removing the Vance Monument
Removal of the Vance Monument can proceed, after Buncombe County Superior Court Judge Alan Thornburg granted the City’s Motion to Dismiss a lawsuit brought by a group seeking to block the City’s planned removal of the monument. Following Asheville City Council’s March 23 vote authorizing demolition of the 75-foot obelisk on Pack Square, The Society for [...]
City of Asheville to donate funds from class action lawsuit to two local organizations
The City of Asheville will make significant donations to two local nonprofits as part of a legal settlement to disperse funds acquired prior to a 2018 class action lawsuit involving the City’s capital fee collected as part of the combined utility statement. The lawsuit claimed that property developers had paid these fees to [...]
Judge denies motion to halt removal of Vance Monument
Removal of the Vance Monument can proceed, following a March 29 ruling by Buncombe County Superior Court Judge Steven Warren to deny a motion calling for a temporary restraining order to prevent its removal. Following Asheville City Council’s March 23 vote authorizing demolition of the 75-foot obelisk on Pack Square, The Society for the Historical Preservation [...]
City of Asheville clarifies issue regarding upcoming Council vacancy
Local law does not allow for a special election in this case The City of Asheville recently released information regarding an upcoming City Council vacancy. This will follow the upcoming resignation of Council Member Vijay Kapoor, who will be relocating outside of Asheville. In response to media inquiries, a memo about filling Council vacancies from the City [...]
Asheville inquiry into police protest response expands to include roles for City Council, City Attorney
In support of Asheville Police Chief David Zack’s recommendation of an outside independent investigation into Asheville Police’s response to recent protests, City Council has requested that the City Attorney’s Office, under the direction of City Attorney Brad Branham, lead the effort to select the investigator. This move is aimed at maximizing accountability and transparency to [...]
City of Asheville to discontinue capital fee on utility bills
City of Asheville water customers may see public notices about the outcome of a class action lawsuit involving the City’s capital fee collected as part of the combined utility statement. In 2016, a North Carolina Supreme Court decision declared that certain “impact fees” charged by municipalities and utility authorities were illegal. As a result, many cities [...]
City of Asheville marks Earth Week by joining Amicus brief in objection to EPA power plant rule
The City of Asheville continues its support of the creation of clean energy by signing an Amicus brief criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule. The rule, we believe, fails to reduce dangerous air pollution and address climate change, increasing health and safety risks for Americans, including [...]
Buncombe County issues ‘Stay Home, Stay Safe’ order, which applies to Asheville residents
In light of the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order issued by Buncombe County today, the City of Asheville would like to take a moment to clarify how the various State-, County- and City-level States of Emergency impact its citizens. On March 12, when the City of Asheville first declared a State of Emergency in connection with [...]
Newly amended Asheville State of Emergency proclamation in response to COVID-19 limits gatherings to 10
In alignment with Buncombe County, on March 19, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer signed a newly amended State of Emergency proclamation for the City of Asheville, based on the public health emergency posed by COVID-19. This proclamation limits public gatherings on property owned by the City of Asheville to no more than 10 people. The new order adheres [...]