This news item expired on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Good news: Buncombe County Government is proud to announce our Planning Department was recognized for their innovative practices by the National Association of Counties (NACO). It recently appeared in a report titled Planning Ahead: County Planning, Land Use, and Zoning Strategies for Affordable Housing. This report explores the role of counties in planning for development and in enacting zoning and land use ordinances that encourage the construction of affordable homes, as well as other county tools that do not require much new funding.
County governments, with a variety of tools at their disposal, are well-positioned to help residents find adequate and affordable housing. As NACO looked across the country for solutions to affordable housing challenges, four counties rose to the forefront. The new report features four case studies in which county leaders are implementing innovative solutions to tackle housing affordability: Grand County (Utah), Buncombe County (N.C.), Greeley County (Neb.) and King County (Wash.).
The report highlights the strategic priority setting by our Board of Commissioners as well as the Planning Department’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Community Oriented Development program.
Key takeaways listed in the article include that housing is linked with economic development and the unique needs of a community, and that partnerships and creative approaches are necessary to make progress. Click here to see the presentation online or download the entire report.
Congratulations go out to Nathan Pennington, Debbie Truempy, Donna Cottrell, Cynthia Fox-Clark, and the entire Planning department for your hard work on this.
Related Links
Buncombe County Planning Department Land Use Plan
The Community Oriented Development Program is Section 78-650 of Buncombe County Zoning Ordinance