Swannanoa -- July 24, 2026: Swannanoa residents have a crucial opportunity to directly influence the long-term vision for their community as the draft Swannanoa Small Area & Resilience Plan is now available for public review. This comprehensive plan, developed over a year by Buncombe County Government and the Swannanoa Small Area Plan Steering Committee, will guide future growth, conservation, and recovery efforts for years to come, making community feedback essential.
The plan covers Swannanoa and surrounding communities, including Riceville, Lytle Cove, and Lake Eden. It is designed to outline future land use and development, transportation priorities, housing, economic development, recreation, environmental conservation, and resilience and recovery from disasters, such as the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. Buncombe County officials describe it as a document that will propose policies and action recommendations tailored to the area's specific needs.
This phase of public input is a rare and important chance for residents, business owners, and community partners to leave a lasting mark on their hometown's future. The Buncombe County 2043 Comprehensive Plan identified Swannanoa as an area needing detailed planning, and this draft plan aims to address those needs, particularly in supporting recovery and improving resilience to future hazards.
How to Participate
Residents can review the draft plan and provide feedback through multiple channels throughout August. In-person opportunities to view exhibits and speak with staff include:
Aug. 1: Swannanoa Community Center, 216 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A kid-friendly puppet show will also take place from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Aug. 7: Swannanoa Community Center, 216 Whitson Ave., Swannanoa, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Aug. 13: Swannanoa Fire Bee Tree Substation, 510 Bee Tree Road, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For those unable to attend in person, an online draft plan and feedback portal will be available from Aug. 1 to Aug. 17 on the Engage Buncombe Swannanoa Small Area page (https://engage.buncombecounty.org/swannanoasmallarea). This online platform will host the draft plan materials and tools for submitting feedback.
Input from earlier surveys, workshops, and polls has already shaped the proposed policies and actions within the draft. This current review period is crucial for residents to confirm whether the draft reflects community priorities and to refine it before it goes to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for adoption. The final plan is currently anticipated for adoption in November 2026. Inaction now could mean missing out on influencing key decisions that will guide Swannanoa for decades.