Board of Adjustment
The Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial board consisting of seven regular members and a number of alternates appointed by the Board of Commissioners. Board members are private citizens and do not receive compensation for their service. The Board of Adjustment rules on Variances, Conditional Uses, and appeals to decisions of the Zoning Administrator. As the Board is quasi-judicial, Board members may only consider sworn testimony and evidence presented at the hearing. No ex-parte communication is permitted and no member is allowed to discuss the case or gather evidence outside of the hearing.
As the Board of Adjustment is a quasi-judicial Board, citizens wishing to speak for or against a specific case will be sworn in prior to testifying, and should be prepared to present evidence to the Board for the record. Evidence can include, but is not limited to photographs, presentations, posters, studies, and other pertinent items.
This Board regularly meets the second Wednesday of each month at noon, however the Board may meet at different times for special meetings or due to holidays or other extenuating circumstances. A quorum consists of four Board members, however, four-fifths of the Board (six members) must vote in agreement to deny or approve any appeal from a decision of the Zoning Administrator or any application for a Variance or Conditional Use Permit.
Application deadlines for the Board of Adjustment can be found on the Zoning Ordinance website. The agenda and meeting notice will generally be posted on the website 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting, though the agenda may be amended after posting. Per State Statute, notices of the public hearing will also be sent to adjoining property owners 10 days prior to the meeting date, and a legal ad will be posted in the local paper at least five days prior to the meeting.
Planning Board
The Planning Board is a quasi-legislative board consisting of nine regular members appointed by the Board of Commissioners. Board members are private citizens and do not receive compensation for their service. The Planning Board makes recommendations on land use ordinances to the Commissioners, including, but not limited to, the Buncombe County Land Development and Subdivision Ordinance and the Buncombe County Zoning Ordinance. Applications for major subdivisions (subdivisions consisting of 11 lots or more), rezoning requests, and text changes to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance are heard before the Planning Board. The Board makes recommendations to the Commissioners for rezonings and ordinance text changes. They are also the sole reviewing authority for major subdivisions.
This Board regularly meets the first and third Mondays of each month at 9:30 a.m., however the Board may meet at different times for special meetings or due to holidays or other extenuating circumstances. A quorum consists of five Board members, and decisions are made by majority vote.
Application deadlines for the Planning Board can be found on the Subdivision Ordinance and Zoning Ordinance websites. The agenda and meeting notice will generally be posted on the website at least one week prior to the scheduled meeting, though the agenda may be amended after posting.
Agendas and Other Documents
Board of Adjustment
Planning Board Meeting