City of Asheville: Living Asheville comprehensive plan ‘road show’ launching to help you get in the know

City of Asheville News April 4, 2018 

Come to any of a dozen presentations this month to learn about the plan prior to its May adoption by City Council

Planning for the future takes a lot of thought, intention and listening to our residents. For two years, the City of Asheville has been doing just that, working to update the 2003 Comprehensive Plan with a newer plan called Living Asheville: A Comprehensive Plan for Our Future.

Led by the City’s Planning & Urban Design Department, Living Asheville is designed to hone in on the community’s vision for the future and will be used to guide land use and other policy decisions. The document covers a range of topics, from climate change to issues of equity and neighborhood planning. It will also include some creative musings from local authors.

Public engagement has been an ongoing process throughout the plan’s development. Starting in May 2016, staff conducted surveys, held coffee chats, participated in small neighborhood gatherings as well as larger community meetings to talk about how we want to shape our City. Along the way, the feedback was considered, prioritized and incorporated into the draft of Living Asheville.

Now we are nearly at the finish line and the document is scheduled for adoption by City Council in May. Leading up to this date, City staff will make the rounds one more time to ensure the final draft of the plan reflects the input and feedback we received from the public, the Advisory Committee, and relevant boards and commissions. So we’re going on the road with an ambitious schedule, giving as many presentations as possible!

‘Road show’ presentations schedule
diverse meeting
All of these meetings are open to the public. Todd Okolichany, Director of the City’s Planning and Urban Design Department, will lead the presentations.

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, 9:30 a.m. April 5, Asheville City Hall, Sixth Floor HR Training Room
Historic Resources Commission, 4 p.m. April 11, City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room
Planning & Zoning Commission, 5 p.m. April 11, City Hall, Sixth Floor HR Training Room
African American Heritage Commission, 11:30 a.m. April 12, City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room
Riverfront Redevelopment Commission, 4 p.m. April 12, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Board Room, 36 Montford Ave.
Downtown Commission, 8:30 a.m. April 13, City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room
Tree Commission, 3:30 p.m. April 16, Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street, Room A109
Sustainability Advisory Committee on Energy and the Environment (SACEE), 3:30 p.m. April 18, City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room
Neighborhood Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m. April 23, Public Works Building, 161 S. Charlotte Street, A109
Multimodal Transportation Commission, 3 p.m. April 25, City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room
Recreation Board, 12:30 p.m. May 8, City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room
Public Art and Cultural Commission (tentative, TBA)

Meeting schedule for plan adoption
Planning & Zoning Commission recommendation for adoption, 5 p.m. May 2, City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room
Asheville City Council, 5 p.m. May 22 meeting, City Hall Council Chambers

Want to know more?
Below find a short 5-minute video to learn more about the planning process. Visit the City’s webpage devoted to Living Asheville: A Comprehensive Plan for our Future.        Or reach out the Project Manager Stacy Merten at smerten@ashevillenc.gov or 828-259-5836.