Asheville City Council
December 12, 2023
Regular meeting
Other City businessBudget and taxesHousingHomelessnessPublic safety
What it did
- Rezones 115 Fairview Road, with conditions, from Urban Village to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ) with the following amended project condition: “50% of these affordable housing units will be reserved for HACA Housing Choice Vouchers, and voucher holders…Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
- Rezones 2 Butler Road, with conditions, from Community Business II (CBII) to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ).Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
- Approves the Land Use Incentive Grant application for Catalyst Capital Partners / 115 Fairview Road with a per unit subsidy of up…Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
- Approves Commonwealth Development’s request for an additional $475,000 in funds, for a total Housing Trust Fund loan of $975,000, to construct 77 new…Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Votes recorded
- 21
- Voted on separately
- 9
- Routine items, one vote
- 12
- Votes that split
- 5
Why it matters
Regular meetings are where Council votes on laws, the budget, contracts and zoning. Routine items pass together in one vote, called the consent agenda.
The recording
Everything on the agenda
From the minutes, in the order the City lists them. Each item's first lines are the minutes' own words.
PROCLAMATIONS
Proclamation recognizing the efforts of the Mills River Partnership restoration and protection of riverbank and riparian buffer
“Mayor Manheimer read the proclamation recognizing the efforts of the Mills River Partnership to restore approximately 2,500 linear feet of riverbank along the Mills River and protect 14 acres of riparian buffer upstream of the water intake at the Mills River Water Plant.”
CONSENT AGENDA
12 routine items, passed together in one vote.
PRESENTATIONS & REPORTS
Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 audit
“Finance Director Tony McDowell said that the following are the key takeaways from this presentation: (1) The fiscal 2023 year-end audit was completed and submitted to the NC Local Government Commission (LGC) on November 6th; (2) The Audit Opinion issued by Cherry Bekaert LLP was Unmodified or…”
Reparations Project timeline extension presentation
“Dwight Mullen, Chair of the Community Reparations Commission (Commission), asked City Council to extend the timeline for the Reparations Project so they have time to (1) consider all data provided by the City, County, State and private sector to confirm that their narratives and personal…”
Manager’s report
“Employee Recognition City Manager Campbell recognized Equity & Inclusion Director Brenda Mills for receiving the (1) The Robert E. Shepherd Excellence in Local Government Excellence Award is presented by the Land of Sky Regional Council to a local government professional who has shown great…”
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to close an unopened right-of-way between Sulphur Springs Road and Lane Avenue: assistant
“Assistant Transportation Director Jessica Morriss said that this is the consideration of a resolution to permanently close an unopened right-of-way (ROW) between Sulphur Springs Road and Lane Avenue.”
Consideration of continuation to conditionally rezone 2 Butler Road from Community Business II District to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone
“Councilwoman Ullman moved to recuse Mayor Manheimer from participating in this item due to a conflict of interest.”
115 Fairview Road
“Mayor Manheimer said that the public hearings for consideration of the land use incentive grant for 115 Fairview Road and the conditional zoning for 115 Fairview Road will be combined; however, each vote will be taken separately.”
- Vote: Approves the Land Use Incentive Grant application for Catalyst Capital Partners / 115 Fairview Road with a per unit subsidy of up…
- Vote: Rezones 115 Fairview Road, with conditions, from Urban Village to Residential Expansion - Conditional Zone (RES EXP-CZ) with the following amended project condition: “50% of these affordable housing units will be reserved for HACA Housing Choice Vouchers, and voucher holders…
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution approving revisions to the Housing Trust Fund Policy
“Affordable Housing Officers Sasha Vrtunski said that this is the consideration of a resolution approving revisions to the Housing Trust Fund Policy prior to initiating the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 funding cycle.”
Resolution amending a Housing Trust Fund loan award requested by Commonwealth Development Corporation to allow them to develop multi-family apartments at 3124/3130 Sweeten Creek Road (Fairhaven Summit)
“Affordable Housing Officer Sasha Vrtunski said that this is the consideration of approval of Commonwealth Development’s request for an additional $475,000 in Housing Trust Fund (HTF) loan funds to support the Fairhaven Summit development with 2% interest, deferred payments for a period of 20 years…”
Ordinance amending the (1) definition of Public ART to include performances and Festivals; (2) membership to include seats for key partners; (3) staff support; (4) name of the Public ART and Cultural Commission; and role of the…
“Urban Designer Karli Stephenson said this is the consideration of an ordinance to revise Article III, Chapter 2, Division 11 of the Code of Ordinances regarding the Public Art and Cultural Commission.”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
- request for Council to adopt a resolution for ceasefire, peace, and international law
- support for the Reparations Project timeline extension
- raise awareness around excessive and unnecessary car noise, and the measures that may be employed to reduce it
- Asheville voter registration from 1896 - 1900
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Voted no: Sage Turner.
More from the minutes
- “Staff respects the critical need for all housing types in the City with an especially dire need for affordable housing.”
- “In addition to the above, Equitable and Affordable Housing and Stability became one of six Council Strategic Priorities beginning in fiscal year 2023 (FY23).”
- “Regarding the site plan, 5 buildings total with 279 multi-family units.”
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
Passed. Voted no: S. Antanette Mosley, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith.
More from the minutes
- “He said that staff concurs with the Planning & Zoning Commission and recommends approval of the proposed conditional zoning.”
- “To this end, developer will notify HACA of the actual or pending availability of eligible units on a monthly basis.”
- “If no voucher holder is able to commence tenancy when an eligible unit becomes available, that unit may be leased as an affordable unit.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
Who it's for: Households earning 30% to 80% of the area median income: $30,720 to $81,920 a year for a family of four (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This funding will support the construction of 77 affordable apartments for families with an affordability period of 30 years.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “HOME funds were approved in 2022 to support Fair Haven Summit totaling $400,000.”
- “This project aligns with the City of Asheville’s Consolidated Plan goals of prioritizing rental housing affordable to 60% AMI and below.”
- “Construction of 77 new affordable units for a range of incomes - 30% AMI to 80% AMI.”
- “Twenty units will be set aside for project-based vouchers and eleven (11) units will utilize the KEY program for low-income residents with disabilities who are in need of supportive services.”
Passed. Voted no: Kim Roney.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The purchase will be acquired through the Charlotte Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (CCPI).”
Failed.
More from the minutes
- “The above desire resulted in the following proposed specific changes to the ordinance text: a.”
- “The following is the proposed composition: The commission shall consist of nine voting members appointed by various community organizations or the City of Asheville.”
- “She then said that on September 21, 2023, the proposed ordinance updates were approved by PACC unanimously; and on November 14, 2023, the Boards & Commissions Committee approved the proposed revisions on a 2-1 vote.”
Adopts the revised Housing Trust Fund Policy.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More from the minutes
- “Allow offsite infrastructure improvements only if shown that they only benefit the affordable development.”
- “Agree with AHAC’s recommendation Adds clarity to the policy Loan Terms No recommendation Changing maximum loan amount from 10% of Total Development Cost to 10% of total development cost per affordable unit.”
- “No change for 100% affordable projects, but reduces loans for mixed-income developments.”
Permanently close an unopened right-of-way between Sulphur Springs Road and Lane Avenue.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More from the minutes
- “f the closure is to allow for the construction of additional housing units on the property.”
- “Information regarding the intended number/size/type of units has not been provided.”
- “She then showed other views of the proposed closure from 160 Sulphur Springs Road looking south; Lane Avenue looking north; and Lane Avenue looking east toward Herring Elementary.”
Routine items, passed together
The consent agenda: items Council approves in one vote, without separate discussion. A member can ask to pull an item out for its own vote.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This contract will provide as needed staffing upon request.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Funding for the first year of this contract, not to exceed $60,000, is available in the Parking Services operating budget.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Signs a contract with WNC Landscaping LLC for the Fiscal Year 2024 Downtown Cleaning Contract.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- “The proposed CPIRP includes three pathways.”
- “This is an opportunity to strengthen and highlight the success of the current partnership with Duke Energy and advocate for affordable, renewable electricity.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The program will target youth who are currently misusing or dependent on substances, youth with family members experiencing substance use disorder, and youth living in communities with high rates of drug/opioid overdose mortality.”
Motion to adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Calendar.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- “Formal presentation of the City Manager’s Proposed Budget on May 14, 2024.”
- “A public hearing on the Proposed Budget on May 28, 2024.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This project will replace and upgrade existing aging traffic signals and associated apparatus.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Monthly municipal property tax refunds or releases per N.C. gen. stat. sec. 105-381.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Adopts the 2024 city Council meeting schedule.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Makes technical changes to the budget.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
The plain-language lines are written by fixed rules from each item's official title, which is on each decision's page. Every vote the minutes record is listed; procedural motions, like approving the minutes or adjourning, are left out.