This news item expired on Monday, February 19, 2018 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
In the interest of assuring that all relevant traffic impact information is available to the Board of Adjustment at the time of a hearing and in turn be made available to the public sooner, the Buncombe County Planning Board will consider an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance making traffic studies part of the requirements for some applications.
County staff is recommending planned unit developments with more than 75 units submit a traffic study that would need to be conducted by a licensed traffic engineer. Those studies will allow the Board of Adjustment to consider traffic counts, service thresholds for existing roads, and potential plans for traffic mitigation before making a decision.
“We are taking a number of multi-family projects to the Board of Adjustment and a common theme is that the Board does not feel comfortable approving those without a traffic study,” says Interim Planning Director Nathan Pennington. “The Board of Adjustment is a good barometer for things you might need to change in the Zoning Ordinance.”
While the County doesn’t maintain any roads itself, Pennington says the required traffic studies would help facilitate appropriate upgrades.
The proposed changes would ultimately need to be approved by the Board of Commissioners. The Planning Board will make its recommendation after holding a public hearing. If you would like to address the Planning Board, the County invites you to attend the public hearing on Monday, Feb. 19 at 9:30 a.m. at 30 Valley St., Asheville.
By providing input you can help us shape a better community. Our promise is to listen, learn, and serve you to the best of our ability. If you cannot attend the public hearing you can leave a message on our Let’s Talk line at 828-250-4066, email letstalk@buncombecounty.org or comment at buncombecounty.org/letstalk.