NEUTRAL
Weighing housing and flood safety on London Road
City Council will consider adding 44 apartments to the previously approved development at 21 London Road. We welcome the potential housing benefit and have not identified evidence that the project would harm nearby Shiloh’s housing stability. At last week’s briefing, however, Council Members raised legitimate questions about flooding, emergency access, and nearby slope stability. Those questions deserve clear answers before the project proceeds.
Bear prevention should be practical for everyone
Council will receive a BearWise update recommending expanded access to bear-resistant trash equipment, continued education, and stronger enforcement of wildlife-feeding rules. We welcome prevention efforts and encourage the City to ensure that residents have practical, affordable ways to comply before increasing penalties.
REPORT BACKS
Buncombe County can turn its Swannanoa plan into an anti-displacement test case
County staff’s October 20 briefing identified useful foundations for preventing displacement as the Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan moves toward implementation: assigned responsibilities, timelines, and existing analysis of ordinance amendments’ effects on vulnerable communities. However, commissioners did not establish the consistent review of significant implementation decisions and subsequent monitoring that we proposed. This item was discussed at a briefing, so no adoption vote occurred; staff announced that the plan would return to the County Commission for an adoption hearing at their formal meeting on November 17.