Monthly Archives: May 2011

Westside Wrapup May 30

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Secretary

West Asheville City Council Community Meeting May 31, 6:30pm

Asheville City Council will hold a Community Meeting in West Asheville on Tuesday May 31, 2011, 6:30 to 8:00 pm. at Vance Elementary School, 98 Sulphur Springs Road. The meeting will feature presentations on city initiatives in West Asheville by city staff and area residents. A question and answer session will follow the presentations. Mayor Bellamy, Council Members and the presenters will be available to answer questions and take comments.

For more information about the meeting, please contact Marsha Stickford, City of Asheville Neighborhood/Volunteer Coordinator, at mstickford@ashevillenc.gov or 259-5506.

Graffiti Presentation June 28, 6 pm

Officer Chad McCall, a West Asheville Community Resource Officer and Rebecca Bym, the City of Asheville Weed and Seed Coordinator will be making a presentation about graffiti in West Asheville at the West Asheville Library meeting room on Tuesday, June 28 at 6 pm. Topics to be discusses will include; education on graffiti, how the city responds to calls about graffiti and resources available to help property and business owners remove it.

Posted in West Asheville News | Leave a comment

HRCC meeting notes May 19

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Secretary

Meeting Notes

4-20-11 West Asheville Library, 6:00 PM

Agenda for the Meeting:

1.     Mobile Food Vending
2.     City Council West Asheville meeting on 5/31/11
3.     Transportation, a major topic of the Vision Plan

Mobile Food Vending:

There is an effort by the City to provide a clearer City-wide policy for mobile food vending (food trucks). Currently it is being considered by the Downtown Commission because it is an area not available for Mobile Food Vending because of limitations in the Central Business District (CBD) zoned areas. The situation for the majority of West Asheville is more flexible with options for permanent and temporary food truck uses. The residual areas of CBD zoning along Haywood Rd. also prohibit the trucks so that is one change staff is recommending, removing the barriers in the CBD sections that prohibit Mobile Food Vending. This topic will be more thoroughly reviewed at the next Vision Plan meeting in June.

City Council West Asheville meeting:

City Council community meeting in West Asheville Tuesday May 31, at Vance Elementary School. Beginning at 6:30 PM. There was a discussion of staff and West Asheville residents to summarize the vision plan process and sharing with City Council West Asheville initiatives.

Haywood Road Vision Plan process and topics of discussion: Alan Glines and Leslie Fay
Activities of the West Asheville Business Association- Hugh Munro
Activities for the Hominy Creek Greenway- Brotherhug Barton
Concerns about Beecham’s Curve- not sure if anyone committed to discussing this
Historic Preservation- Identification and protection of the Sulphur Springs- not sure if anyone committed to discuss this item
Weed and Seed Project and the work of the Burton Street Community

Transportation issues related to the Vision Plan:

Staff and volunteers from the City presented on several topical areas:

Ken Putnam, City Transportation Director reminded with the group that Haywood Road is a NC Department of Transportation (DOT) owned and maintained road. The DOT has approval authority for any changes to the roadway.

Barb Mee, Bike and Pedestrian Coordinator with the City of Asheville presented the topic of ‘Complete Streets’ which is an initiative in transportation planning to design travel ways for the full range of users: from drivers to bicyclists, and walkers. During her presentation Barb noted this interesting fact that it is estimated that 1/3 of Americans don’t drive: either they are too old, or too young or some combination of expense, physical ability or personal choice. Staff will try to identify a link for ‘Complete Streets’ for further reading. It was noted that Haywood Road has the potential to be the Asheville model for Complete Streets because of its, geometry, land uses and neighborhood context.

Don Kostalec, a transportation planner and West Asheville resident presented information of a draft safety and pedestrian assessment called ‘Haywood Road and Active Living’ for most of Haywood Road that was conducted along the corridor last Fall. The group of volunteers from the Bike and Pedestrian Task Force measured the width of sidewalks, cross-slopes of sidewalks, location of signs and power poles and street crossings. It was also noted that street lighting could be improved with pedestrian scale lighting as street sections are upgraded. The assessment report will be used to target repairs and improvements along the corridor. The cost to the city for a report like this is upwards of $20,000 if it had been contracted out to a private engineering consulting firm. Many thanks were expressed to Don Kostalec, staff and the other volunteers for the dedicated work in this report. The Haywood Road Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Audit report can be found here.

Yuri Koslen who a planner for the City transit system was present and share background for the new routes that have been developed as a part fo the 2009 transit master plan. Since that time routes have been prioritized and a new brand for the transit system was presented: Asheville Redefines Transit ‘ART’. Several route changes were presented to the group and new maps were shared. There are two of the five busiest routes serve West Asheville riders: the Haywood Road Route and the Patton Avenue Route. The changes to the route as a part of the planning effort will be implemented sometime later that year. Several points along Haywood Road have 30 minute bus service where two routes and times overlap. Yuri noted a long term goal of 20 minute bus frequency to really increase ridership and make auto drivers willing to become car-free. It is possible that Haywood Road could be the model for that type of frequency. There are also plans to include capability for phone applications that can help track the location of the bus along a route. The website for Asheville Redefines Transit is http://ridetheart.com/, and a route map can be found here.

Throughout the presentations there were a number of questions and explanations that were offered during the conversation:

A new pedestrian signal is expected at Louisiana Ave and Haywood Rd

Comments from citizens regarding sidewalk or street maintenance can be directed to Marsha Stickford for follow up by appropriate agency of individuals

As the Haywood Road Vision Plan progresses emphasizing the importance of connectivity along the corridor and the ‘complete streets’ policy will be important

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force is an organization that may be interesting to residents of West Asheville.

The was concern about the scale of the design of the bridge across the future I-26 project and the possibility of implementing the ‘complete streets’ policy for that

There was comment that road work not block the sidewalk access especially with signage

The was a question about of the extent of the DOT right of way which is expected to be back of sidewalk to back of sidewalk.

A comments was made to keep the bus route schedules up to date at the bus stops.

It was noted that there is not a bus connection to A-B Tech Enka Campus at this time

It was noted that there should be a way to notify bus riders of changes to a route such as during an emergency

Posted in Haywood Road Corridor Committee | Leave a comment

Mobile Food Vending Ordinance

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Secretary

A full version of the memo detailing mobile food vending considerations can be found here.

Mobile Vending Ordinance Considerations Summary

Generated by the City of Asheville Planning and Development (draft 5/6/11)

The mobile food vending policy is proposed to be a City-wide policy:

It would apply to commercial districts that allows restaurant uses. It is possible that there could be CBD –specific regulations just like there could be Biltmore Village-regulations etc. The object of the ordinance is to make the rules clearer about what is required for permanent mobile food vending locations and the individual vendors themselves.

Consensus Items of the Stakeholder Group:

No roaming and vending
No use of on-street parking spaces or right-of-way areas for vending
Food sales occur from a private permitted parcel
All Buncombe County Health Department Regulations are followed:
Trucks inspected multiple times per year
The truck permit must be linked with a restaurant or commissary
The truck must leave the site each day for cleanup and storage
The truck is treated like a mobile restaurant
Mobile vending policy will only allow food sales (services or merchandise not permitted)

Approvals will entail two separate permits, one for the parcel and one for the individual vendor as follows:

The Parcel:

The owner submits an application for a permit for the parcel noting the number of mobile food vendors (up to 5)

A site plan is submitted including:

Access and egress, manuevering
Spacing between mobile vendors 10 feet, setbacks are also considered for fire safety
Basic landscaping required for area of impact
Sidewalk to the site needs to be in place
If the zoning district requires off-street parking then two parking spaces must be available for customers
Consider the other parking demands for shared uses on the site (if applicable)

Approvals are considered a permanent use

The Truck:

The mobile food vendor submits an application including:

Compliance with Health Department Requirements
Referencing the parcel used for the operation of the truck or trailer
If more than one site is required then a separate permit is required
Display of permits required
Signage allowed but not unlimited
Must close between 2:30 AM and 6 AM

Approvals are renewable annually for each vendor

Temporary Uses:

There exists now in the UDO a separate provision for mobile food sales to occur on most commercial properties on a temporary basis except for areas zoned CBD.

Temporary uses are limited to a maximum of 180 days per year for each parcel
The 180 permitted days are not required to be consecutive days
This applies to any commercial zoned parcel except CBD zoned areas
No site improvements required, but the site access and maneuvering is considered
A food truck vendor can apply for multiple sites
Hours are limited to 6 AM – 10 PM
Basically only one temporary use is allowed per parcel and trucks may renew annually

A full version of the memo detailing mobile food vending considerations can be found here.

Westside Wrapup May 23

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Secretary

Stream Restoration projects review in West Asheville May 26

RiverLink invites the West Asheville Community to West Asheville Park, for a Walk in the Park. We will be reviewing RiverLink’s stream restoration and water quality project along Rhododendron Creek through the park. We will meet with Nancy Hodges, RiverLink’s Watershed Resource Manager, Jake McLean, from Baker Engineering and Doug Barlow aka. Brotherhug at 5pm on Thursday May 26th in the West Asheville Park parking lot for an informative meeting.
In 2008, RiverLink was granted funds from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund to improve the water quality and restore over a combined 1600 linear feet of Rhododendron and Buttermilk Creeks, tributaries of Hominy Creek. Rhododendron Creek runs through West Asheville Park and Buttermilk Creek through Malvern Hills Park, both heavily used neighborhood parks. RiverLink hired Baker Engineering and along with many neighborhood residents to design and implement the stream restoration and water quality measures in the parks.
Last fall we officially completed the construction of the project. This would not have been possible without the continual assistance and support of the neighborhood. Many residents came out to help plant the riparian zone of the stream bank and/or remove exotic species.
Currently, there is ongoing utility work along Morris and in the lower section of the Park. Over the next few months residents might see occasional maintenance work being conducted to help maintain the water quality features and stabilize the stream. RiverLink would like to invite citizens down to the park to learn in-depth about the restoration project, water quality features, and the newest RiverLink endeavor in West Asheville, the Hominy Creek Greenway Extension.

RiverLink is also looking for some volunteers on Tuesday, May 24 or Wednesday, May 25 – time variable to assist in flyer distribution around West Asheville Park. Flyers about this meeting and area stream restoration work need to be put in neighborhood mailboxes. For more information call Nancy Hodges at 252-8474, ext. 14.

Mountain Sports Festival May 27, 28 and 29

The Mountain Sports Festival will be held at Carrier Park in West Asheville and other locations around Asheville from Friday May 27th through Sunday May 29th. This weekend music and sports festival celebrates community, athletics and local business. The festival showcases the terrain, environment and unique culture of Asheville, NC and the surrounding mountains. The Mountain Sports Festival is organized by a volunteer group of community oriented citizens dedicated to the presenting of a well balanced series of events that encourages participation on all levels.

For more information go to mountainsportsfestival.com.

Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan talk May 28

RiverLink Executive Director Karen Cragnolin will lead a greenway walk and talk to discuss the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay as a model of sustainable development on Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. The tour leaves from the Rotary Pavilion at Carrier Park Wetlands.
The Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan is RiverLink’s brainchild to create a sustainable model for the watershed that promotes and balances transportation, health and housing, education, economic development, environmental protection, and recreation to revitalize the French Broad and Swannanoa riverfront corridors through Asheville. A total of 4.5 miles of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay are in place now with other properties being held in conservation easements to be added in the future as the project grows.
Cragnolin suggests wearing good walking shoes for the walk on Saturday. “We may do the entire 4.5 miles of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay as we talk about the Dykeman Plan’s three-prong approach for economic development along the river, which include includes arts and crafts, recreation, rejuvenation and wellness — all of which are authentic to our region and based on our traditions and history as a community.”
The tour is free to the public and lasts about two hours.

For more information or to make your reservation, call RiverLink at 252-8474, ext 10.

Block Party at Burton Street Center May 28

Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts will host a Community Day & Block Party on Saturday, May 28, from 12 – 5 p.m. at the Burton Street Center, located at 134 Burton St. This day of family fun includes inflatables, face painting, crafts, balloon art, an All American cookout, and much more. Admission to the event is free.

For more information about the event, contact the center at 828-254-1942, or burtonstreetrec.center@ashevillenc.gov.

West Asheville City Council Community Meeting Tuesday May 31, 2011

For more information about the meeting, please contact Marsha Stickford, City of Asheville Neighborhood/Volunteer Coordinator, at mstickford@ashevillenc.gov or 259-5506.

Be a local Leader

The City of Asheville has various openings on various committees. Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?” Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? Do you want to be a part of the body that is responsible for making decisions regarding policy, service and education? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to take that initial step forward and put your perspective, leadership and knowledge to task by serving on one of the many committees we have to offer. The deadline for receiving applications for these openings is Wednesday, June 8 at 5 p.m. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 259-5601 or by e-mail at mburleson@ashevillenc.gov for an application form. Committees that have openings include;
CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The responsibilities of the Committee include serving as liaison between the police and community over concern; to mediate problems or conflicts; to serve as an advocate for programs, ideas, and methods to improve the relationship between the police and the community; and to disseminate information to the community and to the government officials in Asheville.
CIVIC CENTER COMMISSION – Some duties of the Commission include (1) reviewing and making recommendations on programming goals and objectives for each venue in the Civic Center; (2) establishing a method for handling of customer service complaints; (3) developing and making recommendations regarding long range plans for the Civic Center; (4) reviewing and making recommendations on proposals for changes in the fees and charges for use of Civic Center facilities; (5) encouraging promotion of sports, recreation, entertainment and cultural events and activities, and to facilitate the use of the services and facilities of the Civic Center; and (6) performing other such tasks and functions as the City Council may direct.
CRIMESTOPPERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE – The responsibilities of this committee is to review crimes and set awards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of felony crime offenders and to capture fugitives. The committee offers anonymity to persons who furnish information.
PUBLIC ART BOARD – The Board is responsible for promoting and maintaining art displays in public buildings and public spaces in the City of Asheville. In addition the Board (1) facilitates public art in public buildings and public spaces; (2) informs the residents of and visitors to Asheville about public art; (3) advances the City of Asheville as an “arts destination” and engages public art as a major attraction for artists, cultural tourism, and economic development; (4) is responsible for approving the site and content of public art; (5) is responsible for developing a procedure for the selection of art and/or artists, which will include public input as well as appropriate staff review. The Public Art Board shall follow its Public Art Policy and Implementation Guidelines as modified and/or amended every five years; and (6) recommends to City Council the acceptance of works of art.
RECREATION BOARD – The Board advises City Council on various matters pertaining to the operation of park facilities and recreation programs within the City of Asheville, to make policy recommendations to City Council, and to carry out duties as may be assigned to them by City Council.

Posted in West Asheville News | Leave a comment

West Asheville Business Association Forms, 1950

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Secretary

In the fall of 1950, John L. Lawrence (Lawrence Realty Company) sent a letter to West Asheville businesses encouraging them to join together and form an association.

“Dear Business Friend:

What do you think of organizing a Business Club in West Asheville? Do you feel as I do, that if we had such an organization that we could accomplish a great deal in civic improvements and otherwise?

We have over 200 businesses in this section of our city and after talking to quite a number of our business people (both men and women) I feel sure there are sufficient numbers to sponsor and organize such a club.

I would appreciate a letter, card or telephone call expressing yourself on this question.
When we have heard from a goodly number of the business people of West Asheville who favor such an organization, we will call a meeting and proceed to organize.

Sincerely,

John L. Lawrence”

There was indeed interest and on November 21, 1950 the the West Asheville Business Association was formed. John L. Lawrence would go on to serve as the first chairman of the organization.

The letter sent to West Asheville businesses in the fall of 1950 proposing forming a business association.

Posted in West Asheville History | Leave a comment