This is the CAN March Newsletter with the report on the March 7 P&Z meeting.

Helping Neighborhoods become better places for all people March 2007Meeting: March 12, 2007 Oakley Community Center749 Fairview Rd. 7PM-9PM. Everyone is Welcome. Every neighborhood should have 1-2 designated members of their organization to attend all CANMeetings so they can report back on what is happening in the City and County. CAN’s forum is in the planning stages now.It will be held on May 5^th. Last year we had a very good attendance and lots of good feedback. We will hold severalWorkshops for neighborhoods and have representatives from city government there. Please mark you calendars!!! New Officers For C A N

The election of officers for our 2007 were held at the February 12, 2007 meeting.

We appreciate the work of the nominating committee and are very proud to announce that

Joe Minicozzi is our new president. The rest of the officers are as follow:

Barber Melton- VP, Tom Rightmyer-Secretary, Carl Nyberg-Treasurer. We have a lot of dedicated members of CAN who are too numerous to name here who serve on committees, plan the annual forum, go to many meetings so CAN neighborhoods will be

Represented and kept abreast of current information. The Board will be meeting soon to

Fill some slots that are now vacant. We will keep everyone up to date on who is appointed.

Minutes of February 12, 2007 meeting

The meeting was called to order by the outgoing president, Chris Pelly, at 7:10PM. Introductions of those attending were the first order of business and which neighborhood they represent. Mr. Ken Putnam, Asheville’s new Traffic Engineer spoke on how he sees his job unfolding and that he wants to informed of any problems or concerns that need to be addressed. Mr . Putnam is retired from NC DOT so is quite familiar with their procedures and with transportation needs in the Asheville area. After retiring from the

State of NC, Mr. Putnam opened a consulting office and did traffic studies for developers

so he is well qualified for his new position.

Our next item on the agenda was an update of the new City’s on-line mapping and information services, done by Jason Mann, the GIS coordinator. This is something we had campaigned for several years ago and Chris Pelly and James Judd worked very hard to get up and running. The powerpoint presentation was very informative and well done.

All neighborhoods need to be sure and use this Development Mapper at

www.ashevillenc.gov/mapAsheville/Development Mapper .

Level 11, Level III, Major Subdivision, Subdivision modification, Rezoning, Conditional Zoning, and Conditional Use Permit: includes Residential developments with 20 or more units, Commercial/institutional buildings of 35,000 square feet or more, Industrial buildings of 100,000 square feet or more, subdivisions of land requiring extension of new infrastructure or modifications of such subdivisions, projects requiring changes to the zoning maps (e. g. , Rezonings, Conditional Zonings) and Conditional Use Permits,

i.e. special permits requiring approval by City Council.

This is great to pull up your neighborhood and see developments indentified and TRC reports, site maps, & staff reports. If you have not given your neighborhood boundaries to the Planning Dept. you will not be on there. So, its very Important to get that done as soon as possible. Contact Jason Mann at jmann@ashevillenc.gov and he will be glad to answer any questions about what is needed. Active developments are still being added as we speak. CAN is very grateful to the City for listening to our needs and we thank everyone involved. NOW, Neighbors let’s use it!!! Maybe we can ask the County to

partner with the City and get a site like this so County projects can be accessed.

Mike Lewis and members of his committee gave a report on the May 5^th Congress of Asheville Neighborhoods. This was a great success last year and we are all looking forward to the 2007 date. There will be opportunities for learning about many issues facing us as a community and also how to present concerns and problems to the City.

Barber Melton gave un update on the Steep Slope ordinance and urged everyone to read it, comment on it, and be at the March 7^th Planning and Zoning hearing. She will be going on a tour March 1^st with the P&Z Commissioners, Scott Shuford, Kim Hamel, Shannon Tuch, Rita Baidas, and Blake Esselstyn to look at Steep Slope development in the City.

She has written each commissioner requesting that they see the 40 minute presentation

On the Landslide Hazard in WNC mapping , which will be completed in June 2007 for Buncombe, but has been done in Macon. It is very informative and she did not believe that a decision could be made without this information. She also will request that each Council member view it as well.

Kendra Turner gave the report on where we are with the ongoing Staples and Greenlife

Campaign. Looks like Brian Freeborn and Brownie Newman have made some progress with Greenlife. Staples has done very little so Council will need to continue to pursue any avenues they can to bring them into compliance with the UDO.

Ther being no more business the meeting was adjourned at 8:55PM.

City Manager’s Panel on Development Process

Barber Melton is CAN’s representative to this important panel. Many of the cities realtors, developers, engineers, etc. set on this panel. The ideas, concerns, and problems with building in the City are presented then ways to solve them are suggested. Their have been several new innovations implemented within Inspection Services to prevent building crews from having to wait until an inspector can come give the go ahead for the next phase so things do get accomplished from this group. The development Mapper was previewed at this meeting on January 10, 2007 to make the business community aware

And an update on where the Steep Slope ordinance was at that time. The Planning Dept. has made Kim Hamel the TRC manager , a Planning Tec has been hired and a Planner 1 position went to Charlene Hall who was formerly in Code Enforcement., and a Planner II

Will start in February Jessica Lovingood from the Boston area. The next meeting will be held April 11, 2007 at 4PM in the office of Economic Development.

Flood Damage Reduction Task Force

The purpose is to study strategies to reduce future flood levels in the drainage basins in the Swannanoa Basin during heavy rain episodes. To study strategies to minimize the

Economic, environmental and social impacts and the risk to human life when floods occur in the future. To analyze whether current development patterns are affecting the severity of flooding during heavy rain events.

To review the current flood studies underway and assess the feasibility of developing a dynamic and predictive capability to keep abreast of those variables that affect future flood potential. To make recommendations to Asheville City Council on these matters.

To act as a citizen advisory board for Stormwater Utility issues as needed. Orginial members appointed by the Mayor and City Council are :Bob Patterson, CIBO, Barber Melton, CAN, Buzzy Canady, P&Z Commissioner, Bill Newman, County Planning Board, Mary Leonard White, Town of Blk. Mtn., Mayor George Goosman III, Biltmore Forest, John Cram, Biltmore Village, Hartwell Carson, Riverlink, Commissioner O’Neal Tate, Town of Montreat, Chuck Tessier, SEDAC, James Fox, National Environmental Modeling & Analysis Center (NEMAC), McCray Coates, NC DOT, Starr Silvis, N.C.

Division of Water Quality, Joe McKinney Land of Sky Regional Council. The first meeting was on October 31, 2006. Chuck Pickering with Biltmore Park has joined the committee. Chad Pierce ,Cathy Ball, Scott Shuford, City Staff attend, as well as Jon Creighton with Buncombe County. We have made much progress and we were asked to

Give a report to City Council by April as to where we are. Many speakers have been asked by the Task Force to give us presentations: Karen Cragnolin, Riverlink, Elizabeth Teague, Planner, Blk Mtn, Cynthia Barklow from Buncombe Co., Stormwater, Rick Wooten and Rebecca Latham from NC State group doing the Landslide Hazards study and mapping for WNC. There are more speakers to come. Several suggestions that have been mentioned are : 50 foot buffers on any stream (State of Georgia just passed this), manage impervious surfaces, no fill in flood plain, more discussion on No Rise certification, Nothing in Floodway (exclusions for Highway systems), etc. Barber Melton, CAN’s representative will keep us abreast of this important work being done.

At the February 23^rd meeting McCray Coates, NCDOT, gave a presentation on future improvement projects, some are funded some are not at this time. The Azaela Connector is scheduled by 2008, Replace bridge in Biltmore by 2008. Unfunded but on the state projects list is to widen to multi-lane Amboy & Meadow Rd. Several questions were raised on this because of the route future I-26 may take. On one plan Amboy would be raised so it would be money wasted until a plan for I-26 is in concrete. City desighns bridges for a 100 year flood and culverts for 25 year flood. Next Meeting will be at 8AM March 9^th in the Public Works Bldg.

Results of P&Z meeting 3-7-07 Report on Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, March 7, 2007. Please send additions and corrections to Tom Rightmyer trightmy@juno.com. Minutes of February 7, 2007 meeting were approved. LEVEL III1. Level III site plan review for the project identified as the Westmont Commons Phase II, located at 120 Chamberlain Drive for 72 apartments units. The owner is Westmont Commons Apartments, LLC and the contact is Jim Grdich. The property is identified in the Buncombe County tax records as PIN 9629.14-34-9022. Staff coordinating review – Nathan Pennington Off New Leicester Highway on Elida Home Drive, 17.5 acres total – about 3 acres for this portion. 3 buildings. High density infill project. Bus line in vicinity. Phase 1 done in 2002. Property zoned institutional as former Elida Home property. Steve Bell for applicant, Greensboro apartment developer, current occupancy rate 99%. Combination of one, two, and three bedroom units. No public comment. Conditions by TRC. Approved unanimously. CONDITIONAL ZONING1. Consideration of the Conditional Zoning request for the project identified as Vistas of Westfield located on Dogwood Road. The conditional zoning request seeks the rezoning from RS4 (Residential Single-Family, Medium Density) district to RM6 CZ (Residential Multi-Family, Low Density Conditional Zoning) district for a 124-unit multifamily condominium development consisting of 2-unit, 4-unit, and 8-unit buildings. The applicant is also seeking a modification to a dimensional standard (setback). The owner is Vistas of Westfield, LLC and the contact is Chris Day. The property is identified in the Buncombe County tax records as PIN 9607.10-35-7558. Staff coordinating review – Blake Esselstyn At western edge of ETJ. Property across Dogwood in county, not in ETJ. Now farmland. Most units (20) fourplex designed to look like single family houses, two duplexes, 5 buildings with 8 units at one corner Asks 5 ft reduction in front yards (to 10 ft) and right of way width to allow for flood plain, more open space and pool / clubhouse. County has approved 100+ unit development across Dogwood. Chris Eller for applicant. Walkable community, Asks waive curb and gutter as not required by county and Department of Transportation, will have sidewalk along Dogwood through open space. DOT will require development across the street to do some road improvement. Questions about building in flood plain. Will not have impact downstream in 100 year flood. Units attached by double garages to reduce noise. Heather Rayburn raised questions about impact of global warming on flood. Regulations based on FEMA historical data. Mrs. Hollowell, neighbor, questions impact of traffic on 2 lane road. No other public comment. Discussion of how traffic impact decisions are made. Approved with conditions unanimously. 2. Consideration of the Conditional Zoning request for the project identified as Eagle’s Landing located at 179 Johnston Boulevard. The conditional zoning request seeks the rezoning from RM6 (Residential Multi-Family, Low Density) district to RS8 CZ (Residential Single-Family, Low Density Conditional Zoning) district for a 26-lot subdivision with setback, lot size, and open space modification requests. The owner is Tom Overholt and the contact is Eric McAbee. The properties are identified in the Buncombe County tax records as PINs 9628.07-58-2067, 9628.07-57-1758. Staff coordinating review – Alan Glines Two parcels, near North Bear Creek, 3.5 acres. House on site will be salvaged and relocated on lot 5, cul de sac format, 25 homesites, 5 at affordable rate, cottage style required by conditional zoning approval, small houses most about 1000 sq ft, some smaller, some larger. Asks smaller side yards, reduction of road right of way width. Retains large trees on site. Owner Tom Overholt seeking to provide more affordable housing – in $150,000 to $250,000 range. Concern that project not fully defined at this point, but plans will be carefully reviewed after conceptual approval by city council. Approved with conditions unanimously. REZONING1. Request to rezone property located at 18 and 20 Meadow Road from C I (Commercial Industrial) district to UP (Urban Place) district. The property owner is Alpha International Investment Group, Inc. and the contact is Rob Carlton. The property is identified as PIN 9648.19-51-3087. Staff coordinating review – Alan Glines Across street from Habitat for Humanity store between Biltmore Ave and Ashland – McDowell overpass, below St. Dunstan’s neighborhood. Two story minimum required by code with parking behind. Now vacant lot, proposes commercial ground floor, office above. About 100 feet elevation change from Meadow Road up to St. Dunstan’s Circle. No public comment. Approved unanimously. WORDING AMENDMENTS1. Three related ordinances amending Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville: a. Steep Slope and Ridgetop Overlay District Most of the ridgetops and steep slopes are not in the city but in county controlled areas. Mike Buckham spoke for realtors and homebuilders who support ordinance in concept and have been involved in development of proposals through Chamber of Commerce. Biltmore Farms participated in process. Sarah Orem, owner of 18 acres overlooking Blue Ridge Parkway, asked for more restrictive regulations, opposed density bonuses, concerned for alternative landscaping proposals, landslide danger. Mike Lewis approves definitions in text of ordinance, suggests city ordinance track state regulations with regard to percentages and degree of slope. Heather Rayburn showed pictures of erosion and development problems, concerned about setback, grading, previous grading and logging, density bonus provisions, landslide and insurance issues. Jay Quinn, appreciates map from web site, recommends RS-1 to be lowest density. (Present is RS-2 – half acre lots.) To retain quality of life slow down development for benefit of community as a whole. Chris Eller, engineer, for CIBO – Council of Independent Business Owners – limited developable land in county, need sustainable development. Robert Cox, Windswept Drive, problems planning development of his lot bought 20 years ago. Anna Martin, Sunset Mountain, present zoning allows too dense development. Tom Williamson, Biltmore Farms, showed map of 2220 ft, 2600, and 2800 ft elevations and effect on the Ramble, concerned for unintended consequences of regulations. Julie (?) suggests downzoning hillside lots. Janet Bepke, Highland Gate development – houses on 3/4 acre lots too close together – asks larger lots, save more trees.Commission comments: Need to clarify percentage / degree relationship, as 45 degree is 100% slope, etc. Proposed ordinance provides that as slope gets steeper amount of developable land gets smaller. Thus is a complex issue which needs further study. Steve Sizemore proposed amending to agree with developers and builders suggestions through Chamber of Commerce, but no one seconded it. Continued to April 4, with written comment requested by Monday March 26.

Chairman Byers called a 15 minute recess at 7:45 and I had to leave for another meeting. Barber Melton added the information following. Tom Rightmyer

b. Retaining Wall Regulation c. Open Space Requirements

Staff coordinating review – Scott Shuford (CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 7^th)

2. Ordinance amending Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville to Allow Signs for Homestays in the RS-2, RS4, and RS-8 Zoning Districts

Staff coordinating review – Scott Shuford (CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY 7^TH)

3. Ordinance amending Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville regarding Changes to Temporary Uses. Staff coordinating review – Shannon Tuch/ Stuart Rohrbaugh Continued to April 4.

4. Ordinance amending Chapter 7 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville regarding Subdivision Standards. Staff coordinating review – Shannon Tuch

OTHER BUSINESS/ADJOURNMENT1. Discussion regarding future meeting date (March 22^nd) for the Planning and Zoning Commission Mid-Month Meeting @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm in the Public Works Building, A-109, 161 South Charlotte Street.

The Homestays amendment was defeated unanimously. What Scott Shuford was asked to do was to post on the City Web site the street address of legally operated homestays, so that anyone who wanted to see if there were any close to any house they were thinking of purchasing could do so.

Retaining wall Regulation continued to 4-4.

Open Space requirements were passed unanimously

With one addition suggested by Grace Curry. That where it would be appropriate to make open spaces contiguous instead of piecemeal.

Subdivisions Standards were passed on to Council. Barber Melton disagreed with the number of 50 units and above being the trigger for a public hearing other than TRC where you can only comment on technical issues. She asked that it be lowered to 30 or less and was completely ignored. CAN will be taking this up at our next meeting 3-12.

The Commissioners asked that the prohibiting of GATED communities be set up as a separate ordinance (not a part of this Subdivision Standards) and continued until 4-4. They are not comfortable with totally prohibiting gated communities even though we do have cities that do. For exp: Carrboro. Council had requested this ordinance and Commissioners said they had heard nothing about it.

Scott Shuford announced under Other Business that the Planning and Economic Development committee is pushing again for the thresholds on Level III projects be raised and no public comment except at TRC on technical issues only. CAN got this

Put off about 2 years ago and we will again fight this . Nothing as large as a level III

Should ever be put in a neighborhood without all the public input possible. That is the size of a super Walmart!!!!! So we shall discuss this at the 3-12 meeting as well and every neighborhood is going to have to write letters to Commissioners and Council as this will be pushed by the Development community. I do not have the copy right now of any new changes or additions to this Level III change but Scott will present it to the Commissioners at 3-22 worksession and they already have a copy.

Neighborhoods’ Mission is:

. . educating and informing the community about matters that concern Asheville’s neighborhoods;

. . providing a means for Asheville’s neighborhood organizations and groups to share information; . . providing technical assistance to neighborhood groups and individuals that are interested in participating in community affairs.

Joe Minicozzi (President)

Barber Melton(Vice-President)--------------------298-0559

Norma Baynes(Vice-President)--------------------277-9654

Stephen Hudzik(Vice-President)-------------------236-2007

Carl Nyberg(Treasurer)------------------------------252-0730

James Judd(Web-Keeper)---------------------------251-0346

Tom Rightmyer(Secretary)--------------------------225-0515

Judy Willamson (At-Large) -------------------------277-2010

Althea Goode(At-Large)-----------------------------277-8549

Mike Lewis(AT-Large)------------------------------252-3684

Brian Peterson(At-Large)----------------------------258-5366