Asheville: Urban Centers Project Needs Community Input

The City of Asheville is seeking public input on the potential future zoning of properties at/near  Kmart (Patton Avenue), Innsbruck Mall (Tunnel Road), Steinmart (Merrimon Avenue) and Walmart (Bleachery Boulevard).

Posted on April 29, 2019 by Ashley Traynum-Carson

The Urban Centers initiative will examine how the properties may be used in the future and what they could look like if redeveloped. The initiative will look at land use, mixed-use higher density residential, and features such as walkability, bikeability and open spaces.

Creating Urban Centers is part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Living Asheville, which calls for the City to foster higher density, mixed-use development that is economically viable and pedestrian oriented in a way that contributes to the placemaking character of the city.

The vision is to support reinvestment through denser land use patterns and enhanced multimodal transportation. It is designed to improve walkability and neighborhood quality of life. Another goal is to bring housing closer to jobs by focusing on property located on high-frequency transit corridors to help the City grow in a smart way.

 City staff will engage the community in a conversation on how to achieve these goals through a series of meetings and an online survey. Visit Open City Hall Asheville for the online survey open now through May 31.

 Here is the schedule for public meetings and proposed adoption:

Public meetings and review of concepts

6-7 p.m. May 7, Stephens-Lee Center, 30 George Washington Carver Avenue

6-7 p.m. May 8, West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road

Open Office Hours. Come by to review concepts and provide input

9-11 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., and 3-5 p.m. May 13, 15 and 17

Asheville City Hall, 5th Floor Design Studio, 70 Court Plaza

Stay tuned for additional input opportunities, including Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council public hearings. Information is available online at www.ashevillenc.gov/urbancenters.