GAP Report for 8/17/26
QUESTIONABLE
County Staff Calls for an Impact Analysis – So Why Approve the Rezoning Before It’s Done?
Buncombe County Commissioners will vote August 18 on a request to change two Kampgrounds of America (KOA)-owned parcels near US 70 from commercial to residential zoning. County staff recommends approval, but its own report says vulnerable populations may live nearby and that an impact analysis is appropriate. Commissioners should not approve the rezoning first and study its effects later; they should require the analysis before the vote and use it as the starting point for a consistent, County-wide anti-displacement framework.
PROBLEMATIC
A Better Transit Network for Many Riders — But Not Everyone
Updated 8/18/26: City Council is pressing pause on this issue, removing it from their August 25 agenda. We encourage you to use our updated template to appreciate and acknowledge this move, which is in direct response to community advocacy.
Updated 8/17/26: Council Member Kim Roney responded to our report last week by suggesting that Council pause the vote while additional community engagement is underway and explore whether expanding the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) Passport program could help preserve service to destinations that would otherwise lose it. She also asked how the City is participating in Buncombe County’s transit study and whether that study might offer another option for service between South Asheville and the airport. Her question raises a broader one for us: what opportunities have the City and County explored for a more coordinated transit strategy? (You can read Roney’s full response below.)
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PREVIOUS REPORTS
GAP Report for 4/20/26
0 Items Buncombe County is advancing major decisions that impact displacement without clear analysis or a coordinated policy response (new) Appeal deadline for property tax reappraisals is too early (updated) 0 Items 0 Items Buncombe County still not taking action on...
GAP Report for 4/13/26
0 Items 0 Items Appeal deadline for property tax reappraisals is too early Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy 0 Items Help Expand Government Accountability in Asheville We’ve had some of our most significant successes lately, with the...
GAP Report for 4/6/26
0 Items 0 Items Appeal deadline for property tax reappraisals is too early (new) Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy 0 Items New Item: Buncombe County’s May 5 deadline for filing formal appeals of the recent property tax reappraisals is too...
GAP Report for 3/30/26
0 Items Community needs a seat at the table as Asheville considers Performing Arts Center on The Block (resolved for now) Asheville needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy (updated) Buncombe County needs to adopt an anti-displacement policy 0 Items Updated Item:...
GAP Report for 3/23/26
Community needs a seat at the table as Asheville considers Performing Arts Center on The Block (resolved) 0 Items Major county decisions are being made without an anti-displacement policy (report back) Asheville needs anti-displacement guardrails in next year’s budget...