Asheville City Council
July 23, 2019
Regular meeting
HomelessnessOther City businessStreets and transitWaterHousing
What it did
- Approves the request by Swannanoa Bend, LLC to borrow an additional $650,000 from the Housing Trust Fund, for a total loan amount…Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Approves the request by Workforce Homestead, Inc. to borrow an additional $600,000 from the Housing Trust Fund, for a total loan amount…Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Approves the request by Homeward Bound to borrow funds from the Housing Trust Fund.Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Rezones 2360 Sweeten Creek Road, with conditions, from Residential Multi-Family High Density District (RM16) to Residential Expansion District Conditional Zone (RES EXP CZ).Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
- Votes recorded
- 18
- Voted on separately
- 4
- Routine items, one vote
- 14
- Votes that split
- 0
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 proclaiming Asheville as a breastfeeding family friendly community
“Vice-Vice-Mayor Wisler read the proclamation proclaiming Asheville as a “Breastfeeding Family Friendly Community.” She presented the proclamation to Jan Shepard, Buncombe County Health Director.”
CONSENT AGENDA
14 routine items, passed together in one vote.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public hearing to consider conditional zoning of property located on 2360 Sweeten Creek Road from RM-16 residential 7-23-19
“Adoption of a conditional zoning petition for property located at 2360 Sweeten Creek Road (Givens Estate Friendship Park) currently zoned Residential Multi-Family High Density District (RM16) seeking to be rezoned to Residential Expansion District Conditional Zone (RES EXP CZ).”
Public hearing to consider the conditional zoning of 1 south Tunnel Road from regional business district to mixed use expansion/conditional zone to allow a mixed-use development that includes residential, retail, service and…
“Page 18 At the request of the applicant’s attorney, Councilman Young moved to continue this public hearing until August 27, 2019.”
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Housing Trust Fund loan Agreement with Homeward Bound to acquire and rehabilitate 296 Short Michigan Avenue
“Community Development Program Director Paul D’Angelo said that this is the consideration of a resolution to approve a request by Homeward Bound for a Housing Trust Fund loan to acquire and rehabilitate a multifamily property located at 296 Short Michigan Avenue.”
Resolution authorizing the City manager to execute a Housing Trust Fund loan modification with Swannanoa Bend LLC, for the Simpson Street property
“Community Development Program Director Paul D’Angelo said that this is the consideration of a resolution to approve a Housing Trust Fund loan modification for an increased award of funds to Swannanoa Bend, LLC for the Simpson Street project.”
Resolution authorizing the City manager to execute a Housing Trust Fund loan modification with Workforce Homestead Inc. for the Amaranth Apartments Project
“Community Development Program Director Paul D’Angelo said that this is the consideration of a resolution to approve a Housing Trust Fund loan modification with Workforce Homestead Inc. for an increase in funds for the Amaranth Apartments Project.”
Boards & commissions
“Regarding the Multimodal Transportation Commission, the following individuals applied for the vacancy: Ritchie Rozzelle, Pat Katz, Dennis Wencel, Michael Stratton, Kenneth Armstrong, Sandy Aldridge, Lisabeth Medlock, Shannon Watkins and Amy Jones.”
INFORMAL DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENT
Public comment
“Mr. Drew Crawford spoke to Council about the need for tiny houses on wheels, campground zoning changes; and text amendments.”
Voted on separately
Each of these had its own motion and vote.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
Who it's for: Households earning up to 60% of the area median income: up to $61,440 a year for a family of four, or $43,020 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “The project also possesses a commitment of $262,000 from Buncombe County and a loan from HomeTrust Bank in the amount of $3,502,979.”
- “Per a promissory note executed with the City of Asheville on October 6, 2017, Mr. Booth was to complete the construction of 70 affordable apartments and rent them to households at or below 60% AMI for a period of 20 years.”
- “The developer has ordered the 5th building from the Clayton Homes factory, and is anticipating completion and installation in the near future.”
- “The developer intends to honor the terms of the previous commitment, specifically to rent to households at or below 60% AMI and accept voucher payments.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
Who it's for: Households earning 30% to 60% of the area median income: $30,720 to $61,440 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: “The project as proposed will contain fourteen (14) 1br, thirty-five (35) 2br, and twenty-one (21) 3br apartments all set aside for households making at or below 60% of Area Median Income (AMI).”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “An additional amount of $600,000 will be drawn from the City’s Housing Trust Fund.”
- “. FOR THE AMARANTH APARTMENTS PROJECT Community Development Program Director Paul D’Angelo said that this is the consideration of a resolution to approve a Housing Trust Fund loan modification with Workforce Homestead Inc. for an increase in funds for the Amaranth Apartments Project.”
- “This includes eighteen (18) apartments specifically set aside for households at or below 30% AMI.”
- “Quality Affordable Housing”
Approves the request by Homeward Bound to borrow funds from the Housing Trust Fund.
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “This project is a reflection of that strategy, and will allow them to offer more direct and efficient service to their clients.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “An amount of $530,000 will be drawn from the City’s Housing Trust Fund.”
- “The multifamily property located at 296 Short Michigan Avenue is on a 0.97 acre site with 5 buildings containing 11 (8 one bedroom and 3 two bedroom) separate apartment units.”
- “At the present time, 6 of the 11 units are occupied by voucher holders.”
- “The remaining 5 units are unoccupied and require rehabilitation to be brought up to HUD habitability standards.”
Passed. Everyone present voted yes.
What's planned: “The demolition of 11 buildings (86 housing units) to be replaced with the construction of two buildings comprising 80 housing units (with the inclusion of the additional condition referred to above)”
More from the minutes
- Who it's for: Households earning up to 60% of the area median income: up to $61,440 a year for a family of four, or $43,020 for one person (HUD's 2026 income limits for tax-credit housing in the Asheville area).
- What the minutes say it will do: “The project will lead to a reduction in the number of living units (from 86 to 80) so it will reduce the overall impact on the community.”
- “Adoption of a conditional zoning petition for property located at 2360 Sweeten Creek Road (Givens Estate Friendship Park) currently zoned Residential Multi-Family High Density District (RM16) seeking to be rezoned to Residential Expansion District Conditional Zone (RES EXP CZ).”
- “The project site consists of 4.3 acres located at 2360 Sweeten Creek Road (PIN 9655-47-7393) owned by the Givens Estate, LLC.”
- “The Givens Estates is a 215-acre property of 411 independent living units located near their Gerber Park project of 262 affordable apartment units (Tax credit apartments serve people at 60% of the area median income and below.”
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
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a construction contract with WTAPS of Asheville in the amount of $305,662 and to further authorize change orders up to the contingency amount of $30,566 (10%) for Richmond Hill Park restroom facility and picnic shelter.”
- “Improvements will improve the park experience for Asheville residents.”
Signs a contract with Appalachian Paving.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “7-23-19 Page 12 AND CONCRETE INC. FOR THE WOOD AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD SIDEWALK PROJECT Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract with Appalachian Paving and Concrete, Inc. in the amount of $498,740 for the Wood Ave.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Utility Construction Agreement with the N.C. Dept. of Transportation (NCDOT) for the estimated amount of $279,508.10 plus a 10% contingency for a total budget of $307,458.91 for the I-4400C Project.”
- “The funding needed for this agreement is currently allocated within the NCDOT Project in the Water Resources Capital Improvement Projects Fund.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The agreement will be for ten years instead of twelve years.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Additionally, the City will place $15,000 per year into a capital project to be utilized for the replacement of the soccer fields for a total of $150,000 over a ten year period.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Action Requested: Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a change order with Hazen and Sawyer in the amount of $99,900 to increase the Water System Master Plan Update Professional Services Contract from a total of $570,360 to $670,260. 7-23-19 Page 11 Background:”
- “The funding needed for the professional services agreement is currently allocated within the Water Resources Capital Improvements Project Fund in the Water Model & Master Plan Update Project.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Contract # 91900235 was approved for a maximum amount of $88,000 for a six-month period from January 1, 2019. through June 30, 2019 and the amendment is needed to cover outstanding invoices.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
More from the minutes
- What the minutes say it will do: “The project will renovate the ticketing and waiting areas to improve transit operations, and safety conditions, update finishes and lighting, and improve accessibility on the loading platform and at the intersections at Coxe and Ashland Avenue.”
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 NCDOT will review and approve the designs and inspect the work during the construction phase which is currently scheduled to begin during Summer 2020.”
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Signs a contract with Owen Joseph LLC for the City Hall Garage Structure Improvement Project.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
Buys non-health-benefit-related insurance policies and to issue Property claim-related payments.
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.