Good evening. It is 5:45,
so I will call to order the August 6th,
2026 regular meeting of the
Hendersonville City Council. We begin
our meetings with a silent invocation
for people to pray or meditate as they
choose, followed by the pledge of
allegiance. You'll rise, please.
You'll join me in the pledge. I pledge
allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
>> Thank you.
Okay, we have uh public comment. We have
two people signed up for public comment
this evening. Is there anyone online
seeking recognition for public comment?
>> No, Madame Mayor.
» No, Madame Mayor.
>> Okay. Um so if we could limit the
» Okay. Um so if we could limit the
um time to about no more than five
minutes since there are only two of you
and we'll ask you to come to the
microphone give your name and your
address for the clerk's record. First
Eva Richie
Good evening.
My name is Eva Richie. I live at 1928
Bvard Road in Henderson County.
In 1968, the National Park Service
became the stewards of the Carl Sandberg
home. But by virtue of its location in
our community, we also became the
stewards of the Carl Sandberg home of
this special place. Over the years, the
home and property has become a valuable
cultural and economic gift to us.
During the last 50 years, we have been
good stewards of this gift. But the
question now is, are we being good
stewards of this gift? Now,
in 2022, due to weather, not Helen, and
age, the front lake dam built in the
1850s failed. In 2024, before Hurricane
Helen, the National Park Service
authorized 1,81,600
for the repair.
Since then, it seems the money has
disappeared.
It should be noted that these monies
from the National Park Service are
separate from FEMA funds and would not
affect the restoration funds for
Hurricane Helen victims. The question
has come up, where did the money go? And
I can tell you that nobody up to this
point seems to be able to say where the
money went to.
Here we are in the 250 year anniversary
of America. And another question should
be asked, shouldn't one of America's
greatest poets and patriots, the writer
of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biography
on Abraham Lincoln, be treated with more
respect? The Carl Samberg home national
historic site with 149,000 visitors in
2023 was the first US poet's residence
designated as a national historic site.
Yet he and Mrs. Samberg's home is being
neglected.
Before I go on to just the last two
paragraphs, I wanted to make one
personal remark about it and why I know
so much about it, too. In 2022, when the
dam fell uh failed, that meant the
bridge went out. There was no way to get
older folks and others up to the house.
So they called my company, the trolley
company, and asked, would we consider,
excuse me, offering, you know,
transportation? Could we do that? This
was the Friends of Carl Samberg that
called us. Uh, and I said, "Yes, I I
think we can do that for a month." And
so we did. And I drove it. Uh, not all
the time. We have different drivers, but
I drove it. I think there's a feeling
among many communities and all of us
that when something is in your backyard,
it just becomes common. You know, you
kind of take it for granted. So, I think
there's a feeling out there that the
Carl Samberg home has become a basically
a walking trail for locals. And I'm here
to tell you that is not true.
One of the most special people I think
that I transported during that time. It
was a couple. He was he was very
elderly. He and his wife had come there
because he loved the writings of Carl
Samberg. And he this was on his bucket
list. And they had come all the way from
Indiana to come and visit the Carl
Samberg home. And I can tell you that he
was not the exception. that people are
coming here from out of the county, out
of the state, and in some cases out of
the country to visit this home.
We have now a nonpartisan petition to
restore the funds has g garnered over
237 signatures from fi citizens who
value both the economic and cultural
importance of the Carl Samberg home as
well as taxpayer accountability. it. And
I'm going to uh leave a copy of this
with the secretary. I would ask that she
would distribute it to you. You can see
all the names that are on there. We, the
sign of this petition, are asking two
things of you. One, an accountability
report for the taxpayer funds that were
appropriated. and two, a letter of
support and request from you to the
National Park Service and our federal
officials asking that the monies be
returned. The taxpayers of Henderson
County and the region have a right and
responsibility to know that their tax
dollars are being spent for the purpose
intended. The Carl Samberg home is a
unique and special place and it is our
responsibility to maintain it. I just
feel as though it is such an
embarrassment to our community to go
over there and see what it's looked like
for four long years and before Helen and
I would say to you as elected officials,
it's going to take you to help us. We've
got to have you to contact the federal
um people and to say this is important
to us. Where's the money? We want to
move ahead and we don't want to be here
four years from now, which I can see it
could be, you know, if we don't. So,
thank you so much for the time to bring
this to your attention.
>> Thank you, Miss Richie, for the
» Thank you, Miss Richie, for the
reminder. Uh, Jeff Gro.
» Good evening, council. My name is Jeff
Gro. I live on North Main Street here in
Hendersonville, and as you know, I'm
running for council as well. Want to
thank you for your service to the
residents of Hendersonville. I want to
comment uh on the meeting la the last
meeting concerning the data center
moratorum. Um while I understand the
pressure that you're under for this
moratorum I would personally urge
caution particularly in terms of banning
data centers I believe is a knee-jerk
reaction. I ask I'm asking basically
that you provide more information at
your second meeting the end of August uh
about what your plan really is for this
uh before you take the vote on September
4th because by that time it'll be too
late for the public really to understand
what your what your rationale is and
what the plan is. I'm personally
skeptical of banning these facilities
for a variety of reasons. Uh first, you
already have some powerful zoning tools,
though I'm not sure the impact of SB 382
and how that restricts your down zoning
ability. Uh there's also tools that are
proposed in SB730 that address some of
the negative impacts on the communities.
Secondly, the technology for these
centers is rapidly changing to reduce or
eliminate the burden uh on particularly
on water and electric use. And there are
basic economics at work here. uh these
companies want to reduce their biggest
input cost which is electric uh and
water uh in order to improve their
profitability. Third, these facilities
pay uh provide very highpaying jobs uh
pay taxes and are relatively clean as
far as manufacturing facilities are
concerned. So I'd hate to see us
restrict that opportunity here for the
community. And fourth, whether you like
it or not, AI is coming and more data
centers are going to be built. I
fortunately had an opportunity to speak
with Gordon G. Chang, a well-known China
expert, and also former US Senator Rick
Santorum about the efforts nationally to
ban these centers. Uh they were both
here recently locally to give some
talks. They made three really important
compelling points to me. one is, you
know, if you think more globally and not
just what's happening here in
Hendersonville, uh we have to win the AI
battle with China. We are in a battle
with China on AI. Um and it's for the
control of this technology versus
whether it's going to be controlled in
the US or it's going to be controlled by
China, which means controlled by the
CCP. Uh second, a lot of the grassroots
opposition to this to these centers
around the country is being funded by
nefarious groups that don't necessarily
agree with our our uh our vision of
society here, many of them linked to the
CCP. Third, and this is, I think, an
important point, given the choice
between your data being stored here in
the US, uh, or stored in China and
controlled by the CCP, I'll I'll take
the US every time. And finally, I think
in general, the more government gets in
the way of commerce, the worse things
can get. Uh, I think government should
stay out of the way as much as possible.
So effort's going to cost money uh and
time, legal time, legal fees and money
for the staff. And I just question
whether that money wouldn't be better
spent on other priorities. Finally, I
think it's somewhat ironic that council
might potentially ban data centers, but
without much public discussion, as far
as I'm aware, you can correct me if I'm
wrong, you've embraced the AI powered
flock surveillance cam cameras. In all
fairness
uh to you, the police department
recently released clear policies that
are in place to safeguard the use of
that technology and there are certainly
benefits, you know, to law enforcement.
But I I might suggest that you consider
getting out in front of this issue,
maybe do a public presentation uh to
explain better how those cameras are
being used and how you're uh protecting
the data. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Mr. Crow.
» Thank you, Mr. Crow.
All right.
Um,
agenda. Is there anything anyone would
like to have added to or removed from
this evening's agenda?
>> A motion to approve.
» A motion to approve.
>> Madam, mayor, I move the city council
» Madam, mayor, I move the city council
approve the agenda as presented.
>> Is there any discussion?
» Is there any discussion?
Not. Those in favor of approving the
agenda as presented say I.
>> I. Those oppos say no. Eyes have it. We
» I. Those oppos say no. Eyes have it. We
have our agenda, consent agenda. Is
there anything on the consent agenda
anyone would like to have moved to the
regular agenda so it can be discussed
or a motion to approve?
>> Madame Mayor, I move that city council
» Madame Mayor, I move that city council
approve the consent agenda as presented.
>> Thank you. Is there any discussion?
» Thank you. Is there any discussion?
Not those in favor of approving the
consent agenda say I. I.
>> Those opposed say no.
» Those opposed say no.
>> Eyes have it. We've got that. Okay,
» Eyes have it. We've got that. Okay,
we have several presentations this
evening. First one is an introduction
and this is of the new director of
handson.
You just come.
>> Mayor V, members of city council,
» Mayor V, members of city council,
Lindsay. Lindsay, come on up. Um, I
didn't feel like you should introduce
yourself, so I uh we have not formally
met, but I I am glad to have Lindsay
Gordon here, who's the new executive
director at Hands-On Children's Museum.
So, I'll let her tell you about herself
and introduce herself.
>> Well, thank you so much for that
» Well, thank you so much for that
introduction and good evening, mayor,
council members, and city staff. Again,
my name is Lindseay Gordon and I
recently had the privilege of becoming
the executive director of the Hands-On
Children Museum. And I wanted to take a
moment to introduce myself, express my
appreciation for the warm welcome I've
received and thank you for your
continued support for both Hands-On
Children's Museum and the People's
Museum.
Your investment in these community
resources help preserve our history
while creating opportunities for
children and families to learn, explore,
and connect.
I am a Bvard native. Um, but I also have
family ties here in Hendersonville. My
dad actually graduated, well, didn't
graduate, he attended, uh, North Avenue
School. Um, it's especially meaningful
now to serve a community that has been
part of my family's story and my own
roots here in Western North Carolina.
Throughout my career, I have been
passionate about using museums to
strengthen communities through
education, accessibility, and meaningful
engagement. I believe hands-on is much
more than a children's museum. It's a
place where curiosity is sparked,
lifelong learning begins, and families
from across our region come together. It
is a haven. As I begin this role, I look
forward to building strong partnerships
with the city, our community
organizations, and each of you.
I'm excited to work together to ensure
our museum continues to enrich the lives
of residents and visitors for years to
come. So, thank you again for your
continued support for the Hands-On M
Children's Museum and the People's
Museum, and I look forward to working
alongside each of you and creating those
meaningful opportunities for children
and families here in the city of
Hendersonville. And again, thank you for
your time. So, do you have any questions
for me um about my first role weeks in
this role? I'm 30 days old today. So, do
you have any questions for me?
>> Any questions for Lindsay?
» Any questions for Lindsay?
>> Well, good to see you again. and I'm
» Well, good to see you again. and I'm
sure we will see you back here again in
the future.
>> Yes, sir. Thank you.
» Yes, sir. Thank you.
>> Just want to thank Mr. John um and just
» Just want to thank Mr. John um and just
thank you for all your all your
thoughtfulness and and for the
opportunity. Um I recognize that the
city is also entering into a period of
transition um over the next coming
months um as Mr. Connor prepares his
well-earned retirement and I wanted to
thank you for your years of service and
dedication to Hendersonville. Um, and I
look forward to working with whomever
you all select in the future. So,
>> thank you.
» thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Okay. Uh, next is recognition of city
employees earning NCTA
roads scholar certifications.
Okay. And if you can explain what that
is.
>> Yeah. Good evening, mayor and council.
» Yeah. Good evening, mayor and council.
Uh, first of all, I'd like to have a few
folks come up here. Uh, could I have
Steve Alverson,
Tammy Hensley,
Jeremy Buckner, and Brent Pope come up?
Uh, why don't why don't you just stay
here and then
>> Brandy can figure out where to take
» Brandy can figure out where to take
photos from. So, we are here to
recognize uh our road scholar
recipients. And tonight, we're
recognizing three city employees who
have earned road scholar status through
the Institute for Transportation
Research and Education at NC State
University. So, Steve Alverson, our risk
and safety officer, Timmy Hensley,
street maintenance supervisor, Jeremy
Buckner, uh, traffic engineering
technician, have each completed seven,
uh, NCLTP, which is the local technical
assistance program, uh, courses covering
road maintenance, safety, drainage, and
related technical and managerial skills
to earn this professional distinction.
And I would also like to have a special
recognition of Brent Pope, our traffic
engineering supervisor, who has earned
the highest distinction offered through
the program, the Master Road Scholar.
And to reach this level, Brent completed
the road scholar, the advanced road
scholar, those two programs. And then in
addition, completed six advanced level
courses and completed a case uh study
paper on local trans on a local
transportation project. and he'll
describe that in more detail here in a
second. I'm just kidding. [laughter]
So, I'd like to congratulate all four of
you and thank you for investing in your
professional development and for the
work you do to uh keep Hendersonville
streets safe and well-maintained.
These out
[applause]
And while they're still up there and
super uncomfortable, I do want to public
so much of what they do is thankless. I
wanted to publicly thank them. I'm sure
if some of you have been downtown
recently, um especially in the morning,
you've seen a lot of activity going on.
There is uh some grinding of sidewalk,
replacement of sidewalk, removing of
sidewalk. There are our brick crosswalks
that are meticulously being pulled out
and and leveled all ahead of Apple
Festival when we have a quarter of a
million plus people here. So, I kind of
want to take the opportunity to thank
them as well as Brendan Shanahan and
Chris Connard over there that have been
directing that activity. But uh much of
what these guys do is very thankless and
it's very behind the scenes and I just
wanted to take the opportunity again
while they're up here standing in front
of everybody and super uncomfortable to
thank them publicly. [applause]
» [applause]
» Thank you all for taking your time to
improve your knowledge and skills and uh
being able to come back and share it
with the city and all of our residents.
Thank you.
>> Mayor, if I may.
» Mayor, if I may.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Personal privilege. Brian, are in your
» Personal privilege. Brian, are in your
um report with the strategic plan, are
you going to talk about um the positive
momentum we made with Timmy Hensley with
uh the pavement cuts? Are you going to
mention that? I want to make sure why
Timmy's here.
>> I am going to council know that um the
» I am going to council know that um the
message has been heard. Fix the damn
streets. Right, Timmy? And you Timmy has
taken that motto um taken it seriously
and you will hear later um what a great
job that street uh division is doing um
fixing the um utility cuts and the
potholes around the street as they're
reported to us. So, um, I just wanted to
recognize Timmy, everybody. And then, I
mean, I could go on about Brett and the
parking deck and Jeremy. I could go on
forever about the whole team, but I
Timmy doesn't like to come into places
like this often. So, um, I want to make
sure we recognize him and tell him we
appreciate what he's doing.
[applause]
All right. Thank you.
Okay.
All right. Well, it's almost the end of
summer, so it is time to hear from our
student interns.
First, we have Jules Chapensai
and the MSD case study.
Good evening, madame mayor and members
of the city council. Thank you all for
being here. My name is Jules Chapensai
and Ethan and I have had the privilege
of working with the city as summer admin
interns this summer. Over the past three
months, we have worked on our own
individual research projects which we
will be presenting to you today. This
evening, I am presenting my research on
the 7th AB city investment through the
years 2010 to present day 2026.
A little bit about me. I am a rising
junior at Brimar College near the
Philadelphia area. I am pursuing a
bachelor's of arts degree in the growth
and structure of cities and frank French
and franophhone studies. and I have an
interest in pursuing urban planning or
civil engineering.
I am here before you today to inform you
about the past and recent city
investment in the seventh a while
analyzing the impacts of not only the
economic development of the business
corridor but also the surrounding
neighborhoods around it. The key
research question that I will be
analyzing today is how can local
governments use tools such as municipal
service districts or MSDS alongside
various other city investments to
promote economic revitalization while
minimizing gentrification and the risk
of resident displacement. Along with my
individual research, I also had the
chance and opportunity to interview
community members as well.
For the purpose of this presentation,
gentrification is explored as more than
a process of neighborhood redevelopment.
It is understood as a process of
displacement and transformation. As new
res as new residents and investment
enter a neighborhood, they can reshape
its physical landscape, economic
conditions, and cultural character.
often reorienting how the community is
identified, represented, and valued.
On this map shown here is the 7th A
municipal service district. A municipal
service district or MSD is a defined
area within a municipality in which the
unit's governing board levies an
additional property tax in order to
provide extra services to the residents
or properties in the district.
Local governments have long grappled
with the challenge of revitalizing areas
affected by disinvestment, crime, and
economic decline. Hendersonville's 7th
Avenue Municipal Service District or MSD
demonstrates a case study in which city
investment can help transform a
historically stigmatized area marked by
vacant buildings, homelessness, and
public safety concerns and turn it into
a vibrant business district while also
influencing the surrounding
neighborhoods. Here shown on the map is
the seventh a which I will be analyzing
today.
In highlighted in burgundy red is the
7th a MSD I was mentioning earlier. Um
some key places to note is the train
depot, the rescue mission, some
businesses around the 7th a area in this
corner. Um as well as the police station
and then some couple parks which is the
H William H. King Memorial Park as well
as Sullivan Park and then Boys and Girls
Club here and then the yellow hashed um
parcels are the Green Meadows
neighborhood.
Next, I will go into some demographics.
I use publicly available 2010 and 2020
census data. I highlight three different
geographic areas. Henderson County, City
of Hendersonville, and the Seventh A,
which consists of 36 census blocks.
Since I use publicly available census
data, these following charts have a
slight margin of error.
This is a population chart showing the
population changes from 2010 to 2020.
The population in Henderson County
increased by 8.9%.
In the city, it increased by 15.2%.
And in the 7th A area, it decreased by
tw by 10.2%
losing 82 residents.
Next, these are the race demographics
shown as a sidebyside comparison between
2010 and 2020 in race ethnicity pie
charts. The data here shows a noticeable
shift toward greater racial and ethnic
diversity from 2010 to 2020 in the
seventh AB area
with the mixed race defined as two or
more races increasing by 7%. While black
or African-American residents remained
one of the largest groups, their share
declined by 13%. Hispanic residents
increased to 30% in 2020 with an
increase of 6% from 2010, while white
stayed roughly the same, only decreasing
by 2%.
Shown on these swipe maps, you can see
the changes in the same exact data that
was on the previous slide.
This is the map showing 2010 changes and
then this is the map showing 2020.
Each dot represents one person. In these
white maps, you can visually see the
increase in mixed population identified
in bright pink as two or more as well as
the increase of Hispanic in dark purple.
To note, the race dots shown here are
just a visual representation where each
race dot is randomly placed within each
census block which may show a small
margin of error.
Next, I will go to talk about the
historical context. I will show share a
brief timeline um of key moments um talk
about the train depot then a little bit
about urban renewal and then the
Brooklyn neighborhood which is now
considered as the green meadows
neighborhood.
Some key moments in time in the 7th a
area.
The train arrives in Hendersonville in
1879.
In 1960s and 70s is urban renewal and
resident housing displacement. In 1968
the passenger rail service stopped and
in 1971 MLK Junior Boulevard was
constructed into the 7th AB area.
Sometime in the 1980s Zolivan Park was
created and in 1998 the the 7th AB MSD
was established.
In 2015, the 7th Avenue MSD came under a
city management as well as a district
expansion. And between 2018 to current,
there are some infrastructure projects
that I will highlight later on in the
presentation.
And finally, Hurricane Helen hit in
2024.
The historic train depot.
Hendersonville's first train depot was
built in 1879. With the new mode of
transportation connecting Hendersonville
to Saluda and other cities, this area
became a bustling hub of commercial
business. The historic train depot used
for passengers as well as for business.
However, the train stopped passenger
service in 1968.
Urban renewal happened in the 1960s and
1970s. Urban renewal started with the
Housing Act of 1949.
It was a federal government-led strategy
aimed at revitalizing declining city
areas considered as blighted and
upgrading infrastructure, in this case
housing, and spurring private
development. Urban renewal was also
known as the era of slum clearance.
This is a 1930s red lining map of
Hendersonville.
As you can see on this map, the only
area considered as blighted in the
Hendersonville in Hendersonville was the
7th A area across the train tracks, also
known as the Brooklyn neighborhood. The
other categories labeled on this map are
best residential, good residential,
poor residential, and industrial.
Next is the Brooklyn neighborhood.
Brooklyn neighborhood was historically
primarily African-American neighborhood
which is now considered present day as
Green Meadows neighborhood. Brooklyn
took root in the late 1800s as
emancipated slaves sought work and
settled around h settled in houses along
a brook explaining the likelihood of the
name Brooklyn.
During urban renewal, residents were
offered a meager stipen to move
elsewhere. By 1972, all the homes in the
neighborhood were demolished to create
new housing development, now renamed to
Green Meadows Neighborhood.
However, the neighborhood's culture and
sense of community were largely lost as
a result of urban renewal.
[clears throat and cough]
Many displaced families were unable to
return because of the new housing's
unaffordability.
Although some families were able to move
back, the neighborhood's community
spirit had already diminished due to the
displacement and dispersion of longtime
residents.
This is the original map of the Brooklyn
neighborhood.
Next is Green Meadows Park, which was
renamed to William H. King Memorial Park
in 1982.
In this preliminary plan, Green Meadows
Park was going to have a lake, a
softball and football field, as well as
tennis and shuffleboard courts. Selvin
Park was planned to have a plaza, a
multi-purpose court and tables. However,
this plan never came to be.
This is a map showing the same exact
preliminary map on aerial imagery.
Next, I will be going into the views
into the case study to better understand
all the different ways to explore to to
explore city investment in the seventh a
area. After establishing the municipal
service district, we can look at six key
focus areas to better understand the
impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods
and community.
First is neighborhood history and
community organizations.
In 1989, the 7th Avenue Historic
District was established in the National
Register. A key community-led project is
the community garden. The revitalization
started in 2023 and the project secured
roughly $55,000
from various nonprofits in the city of
Hendersonville. In an effort to preserve
neighborhood identity and culture, an
unnamed creek in the Green Meadows
neighborhood was given the name Brooklyn
Creek. Along with it, there is a bird
sanctuary.
Some community organizations include the
Rescue Mission, which is a nonprofit
that provides shelter and resources for
people experiencing homelessness.
Another is the Boys and Girls Club,
which provides a recreational and
educational space for the youth.
Next is zoning and policy. Another
policy tool that the city considered was
developing an urban redevelopment area,
which is defined as a geographic area
targeted for redevelopment by a local
government in compliance with the urban
redevelopment law. For an area to be
eligible for a designation, the targeted
area must be classified as blighted. And
once designated, the local government
may use special statuary powers designed
to attract private investment and
facilitate redevelopment. However, the
city did not choose to pursue this
option.
Here shown is the 2011 and 2026 zoning
changes map. This is 2011 and this is
2026.
As shown on this map, the primary
changes occur within the 7th AB MSD
where several industrial and residential
parcels have been reszoned to central
mix use, creating greater flexibility
for a mix of residential and commercial
new development.
Next is public safety. The new police
station construction was completed in
2021 with the total project cost around
$1.5 million. There have also been
lighting improvements with new street
lighting along 7th Avenue and some
public safety cameras were put up in
addition throughout the city, not just
7th Avenue. The city continues and
provides numerous opportunities for
public input with the upcoming splash
day at Sullivan Park where residents and
more will have a chance to provide
feedback and concerns related to public
safety.
Next is strong infrastructure. Since
2018, the city has invested around $9.5
million in sidewalk improvements, water,
sewer, and storm water improvements. And
in addition, upcoming this year projects
include street resurfacing, and curb
ramps to be compliant with ADA
standards. Future allocated projects in
2027 have an allocated cost of a little
over $1.6 million.
Next is housing. The housing rehab
program was centered around the 7th AB
area within the municipal service
district or MSD between Cherry and Beach
Street. The city was granted the
CDBGNR21
grant, also known as the community
development block grant, neighborhood
revitalization.
With these funds and alongside the
partnership with housing assistance, we
rehabbed three homes and added
sidewalks. The total investment for the
program bringing approximately $931,000
included the CDBG grant as well as
additional financial support from the
city.
Next is economic development. As I said
earlier in 1998 the 7th Avenue MSD was
established. By 2015 the 7th A MSD was
expanded in under city management. And
for the Main Street program, the Main
Street program switched from nonprofit
to a city program around the same time
the 7th AB MSD came under city
management. Since 2020, facade grants
have been given in partnership with the
nonprofit Friends of Downtown
Andersonville, and they are incentives
for exterior improvements to properties
of Main Street and 7th Avenue historic
districts with awards which are based on
the quality of proposed improvements in
compliance with historic preservation
guidelines. Downtown beautifification
initiatives included the installation of
hanging flower baskets along 7th Avenue
as well.
as a an additional initiative included
the creation of dedicated downtown event
staff positions to support programming,
community events, and economic activity
within the district. To add, the farmers
market on Maple Street started in 2020
has brought many people together across
Henderson County every Saturday.
Next are some value per acre maps that
are 3D that I will be showing next.
On these maps, yellow are residential
parcels, red represents commercial,
lavender purple are nonprofits,
governmental is in blue, and gray is
vacant land.
From 20 an overview of total average
value per acre from 2011 to 2016, the
total average value per acre decreased
by 19%. Quick note, many of the
nonprofits do not have substantial value
per acre until 2020.
From 2016 to 2020, the total average
value per acre increased by 47%.
From 2020 to 2026, it increased by 136%.
The tallest tower shown on this map in
blue is the new PlayStation.
Over the whole time period between 2011
to 2026, the total average value per
acre increases by 176%.
For just commercial parcels from 2011 to
2026, the average value per acre
increased by 61%.
For residential, however, the in the
same time period of 2011 to 2026, it
increased by 115%.
Roughly increasing 8% per year. Since
this percent increase seems shockingly
high, in comparison with the citywide
average, the assessed value growth over
the same time period is about 185% or
increasing by 12% per year.
Over the years, there have been a lot of
commercial land infill, especially
within the 7th AB municipal service
district. Like I said with zoning
previously, the zoning changes within
the MSD from residential or an
industrial to central mixed use within
the MSD allows for new development
to occur.
To add, several 7th Avenue parcels
transitioned from commercial to
nonprofit land classification between
2011 and 2026.
Despite the land class change, property
values per acre remain strong with some
increasing more than 120%.
For residential, many homes on Pac Grove
Street experienced some of the largest
percentage increases in value per acre
between 2011 and 2026.
Martin Circle also had several parcels
doubling in value per acre during the
same time period.
This is a table of the overall average
value per acre percent changes that I
mentioned previously.
In conclusion, revisiting the original
research question, this case study shows
overall that the use of the MSD along
with city investment strategies has
revitalized the seventh AB area and the
data we analyzed does not show trends
that would risk and heighten that would
heighten the risk of displacement.
This successful case study shows how a
disinvested area like 7th Avenue could
change into a vibrant business corridor,
thus creating the potential for future
municipal service district expansions.
Some commercial MSD highlights in the
7th AB MSD since 2018 include
approximately n 27 net jobs gained, 12
net businesses added, and $1.45 $45
million in private investment including
commercial building renovations and
uplifts.
Thank you. And I would like to open the
floor for any comments and qu questions.
Okay. Thank you. Comments or questions.
[applause]
» I have a question. I have a question.
>> This was awesome.
» This was awesome.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Oh, sorry. Um, do you know um who
» Oh, sorry. Um, do you know um who
managed the 7th Avenue MSD prior to 2015
and what was the reasoning to to move it
under city management?
>> I am pretty sure from my knowledge that
» I am pretty sure from my knowledge that
it was
a bunch of community members um that
managed it um called like the seventh
revitalization committee. Um I got this
information from the local newspapers um
in Times New in the 7th A historic train
depot. So if you have are curious more
about that history, you could check it
out.
>> Jules, I can help a little bit. Um so it
» Jules, I can help a little bit. Um so it
was a group of citizens. Dennis Dunlap,
Chris Cormier was part of the group. Um
>> the Wagner sisters were part of the
» the Wagner sisters were part of the
group. um, City Tire, um, a group of
citizens who helped form it originally
and they treated it like a nonprofit um,
and they hired their own staff person
for a while, very similar to what was
um, DHI downtown Hendersonville
Incorporated was a separate nonprofit
where they took their tax money and
hired and um, we had seen the success of
uh, moving DHI into the city with LSE
hiring um, in 200 2011
2011. And so in 2015, we were seeing
loss of traction um despite
very hard work and efforts um that we
were able to put the Main Street program
um and bring the um 7th Avenue District
into the city into our downtown and and
coordinate it being one downtown because
there was this feeling that that we we
had two separate downtowns. We had Main
Street and we had and we wanted it to be
clear that we have one downtown
Hendersonville. So that's kind of the
history of Brian. I don't if you want to
add anything.
>> So there was a council member years ago,
» So there was a council member years ago,
Steve Carricker, who really focused a
lot on 7th Avenue revitalization and he
passed away several years ago, but he
would be like very very proud of all of
this. So
>> hopefully he's watching somewhere.
» hopefully he's watching somewhere.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Cool. Thank you.
» Cool. Thank you.
>> And I just want to thank Jules and
» And I just want to thank Jules and
commend her. She came in uh with a lot
of skill sets in mapping and GIS and she
really showcased those tonight with her
swipe maps and her tower charts. It's
it's not an easy thing to do and she was
very committed to that process. So,
thank you, Jules.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Thank you, Jules. Great job,
» Thank you, Jules. Great job,
>> Jules.
» Thank you, Jules. Um, for your research,
could you give me the property value
increase on Pace and Cherry Street
again?
>> Um,
» Um,
I don't have the data with me directly
on the property.
>> What was that? What was the tax value?
» What was that? What was the tax value?
>> Oh, the tax increase. Yes.
» Oh, the tax increase. Yes.
>> On those properties on Pace and Cherry
» On those properties on Pace and Cherry
Jonas.
>> So,
» So,
I did I mention that? I may have mis
misheard you, but I thought you
mentioned something about the the value
increased those those homes.
>> Yeah. Um I didn't provide actual numbers
» Yeah. Um I didn't provide actual numbers
for the homes on Pace and Grove Street.
I just said that it was one of some of
the largest um percent increases in
value per acre. Um however, I do have
that data. Um I could I'd be happy to
send over the data if since you're
curious.
>> Yeah. and
» Yeah. and
>> don't have it currently with you.
» don't have it currently with you.
>> Did you in your research did you find
» Did you in your research did you find
out why they did not why they changed it
from Brooklyn to Green Meadows? Green
Meadows to me sounds reminds me of Green
Acres.
>> Yeah,
» Yeah,
>> it should have remained Brooklyn. So, in
» it should have remained Brooklyn. So, in
your research, did you find out why that
was changed?
>> I agree with you. Um,
» I agree with you. Um,
I unfortunately did not find anything
about why the name change, but I did
find many Brooklyn neighborhood
community members want like wanted to
bring back the name Brooklyn and rename
it. Um, however, it never happened. So,
I'm not really sure why, but I pretty
sure to my best knowledge the um it was
during the time of urban renewal that
they kind of changed um into Green
Meadows neighborhood. I don't really
know um why where that name came from,
but I'm sure I could find out for you if
you're interested.
>> Once again, thank you for your research.
» Once again, thank you for your research.
>> Thank you.
» Good job, Julie.
>> Great job.
Okay. [applause]
All right. Uh, next we'll hear from
Ethan Walls on encampment procedures.
Good evening, madame mayor, members of
the city council. I come before you
today to present on my summer internship
project which focuses on policy
approaches to address encampments.
Before we get too far into the content
of the presentation, I would like to
talk a little bit about myself. I am
currently living in Asheville, North
Carolina. I have lived there for 13
years and I'm specifically from South
Asheville. So, I'm not too terribly far
from here. I am currently studying
political science and public policy at
the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, which I will be graduating
from in May of 2027. I am particularly
interested in local government and
eventually want to pursue my masters of
public administration at the UNCC School
of Government.
So, now we'll get into the desired
outcomes for this presentation. The
first is to get direction from council
on how to address encampments. The
second is to protect the health and
safety of the community, including
people experiencing homelessness. The
third is to give staff tools to provide
a healthier and safer environment for
the community. The fourth is to ensure
consistent enforcement of city policies.
The fifth is to assist private property
and business owners. And the last is to
explore opportunities to address
contributing factors to encampments. So
now I'll give a quick overview of the
presentation before we go too much
further into it. I'll start with a
little bit of background on homelessness
specifically in the US. Then I'll look
at homelessness specifically in
Hendersonville and Henderson County.
Then I will do a review of the existing
methods that the city has used to
address encampments in the past. Then
I'll do a quick overview of the current
legislative and legal environment
surrounding encampments. Then I'll look
at some new encampment policy options
for you to consider as well as
additional opportunities to address
encampments. And a quick note, the
policies I am presenting here, we are
not considering any sort of binding vote
on these. These are just presenting some
options for you to consider.
So now I'll go into a little bit of
background on the subject. So when we're
looking at homelessness, we're
specifically looking at people who are
considered chronically homeless. So HUD
defines chronically homeless as a
homeless individual with a disability.
And that can include a lot of things. It
can include people with a physical or
mental health challenge or somebody with
a substance use challenge who lives in a
place not meant for human habitation, a
safe haven or in an emergency shelter
and has lived under these conditions for
12 months. This also includes people in
jails or treatment facilities who met
these criteria prior to entry and
families in which the head of household
meets these criteria. So if we look at
the data and specifically for the entire
country of there's around 170,000
individuals in the US who are considered
chronically homeless and that makes up
around 30% of all homeless individuals
and if we look at this chart from HUD
the percentages are actually fairly
close to where they were around 2008
2009 when the great recession happened
and increases in chronic homelessness
are a big factor in nationwide increases
in homelessness rates And in North
Carolina specifically, there is around
2560 individuals who are considered
chronically homeless. So now we'll look
at homelessness specifically in
Hendersonville and Henderson County. So
most of the information on homelessness
in Henderson County comes from what are
called point in time or pit counts. And
they represent all homeless persons who
meet HUD's definition of sheltered and
unsheltered on a single night during the
last 10 days of January. And for those
definitions, the HUD's definition of
shelter focuses on an individual or
family living in a supervised publicly
or privately operated shelter designated
to provide temporary living arrangement,
including congregate shelters,
transitional housing, and hotels and
motel paid for by charitable
organizations or by federal, state, or
local government programs for low-income
individuals. HUD's definition of
unsheltered focuses on an individual or
family with a primary nighttime
residence that is a public or private
place not designed for ordinarily used
as a regular sleeping accommodation for
human beings including a car, park,
abandoned building, bus or train
station, airport or campground. So pet
counts do provide important context on
the homelessness situation in
Hendersonville, but they are imperfect.
They don't include people in
institutions such as jails, foster care,
hospitals, etc. They also don't include
people who are temporarily staying with
family or friends. So, people who are
doubled up or couch surfing. And the US
off government accountability office
actually did a study on this in 2020
that found that pit counts likely
underestimate the size of the homeless
population. So, while this data does
provide some good information, it should
be taken with a little bit of a grant.
So,
So now we'll look into the data
specifically. So if we look at the last
five pick counts from 2021 to 2025, the
the average number of people
experiencing homelessness each year in
Henderson County is around 182 and
people per year. And then if we look at
the last five pit counts o over time,
you will notice that there's been a
dramatic increase in the number of
people experiencing homelessness in
Henderson County. An important thing to
point out, you will notice that for the
2025 pit count, there was around 600
people experiencing homelessness in
Henderson County. That number is heavily
inflated by posting
displacement. There was no pit count in
2026 due to wintertorrm fern last
January. And the city will be taking a
more active role in the 2027 pit count,
which should give more context not only
on the state of homelessness in
Hendersonville and Henderson County, but
should also provide details on permanent
displacement from Helen.
So now we'll look at the shelter
situation specifically in Henderson
County. So there is one homeless shelter
in Henderson County which is operated by
the Hendersonville Rescue Mission that
has around 82 beds in total. Some of the
requirements with the shelter are that
guests have to be able-bodied. There are
also sobriety requirements and the
shelter also requires three night
minimum stays and Henderson County
residency. These can make the shelter a
lot less accessible for people who have
a physical or mental disability or
people who need help but are not quite
ready to quit substance use. So there
are several actions being taken by
community partners that can help people
become eligible for the shelter which
can include physical and mental health
services, coordination with county
services, specifically the drug court
and addiction counseling and support.
However, shelter accessibility remains
an issue and because of the lack of
shelter accessibility, it becomes a lot
easier for people experiencing
homelessness to consider encampments as
a form of living accommodation.
So why is it important that the city
address encampments? The first
[clears throat] are public health and
safety issues. For people living in
encampments, they are more vulnerable to
being exposed to violent crime. They
also expose the community to unsanitary
conditions, especially when there is
trash present. They also deter if an
encampment is in a public space such as
a public park, it may deter use of that
public space. Encampments also present a
lot of challenges for the Hendersonville
Police Department. From June 2025 to
June 2026, PD responded to around 1,816
incidents involving people experiencing
homelessness, which was an increase from
June 2024 to June 2025. So this chart
does a good job of breaking down those
incidents. If we look at this chart, the
most common category of incidents were
suspicious activity, person or vehicle
incidents. The second largest was other,
which includes things such as warrant
services and traffic stops. And the
third biggest is medical and behavioral
incidents which involves things such as
health and wellness checks. And many of
these medical and behavioral incidents
can be difficult for law enforcement to
navigate. So having some more on
concrete policies on encampment would
help inform some create some procedures
and help with creating procedures in
place to de deal with encampment
specifically the role of the police
social worker in dealing with medical
and behavioral incidents.
So now I'm going to go into a heat map
that shows several of these encounters.
An important thing about this data and
the data I mentioned earlier is that
this is based on reported incidents and
so there will be some margin of error,
but some of the most common locations of
police encounters include right around
downtown, especially around Main Street
and 7th Avenue. There's also a lot north
of I26 near where Walmart is. There's
also several south of downtown near
where Spartanberg Highway is, especially
around Engles and Publix. There's also a
lot of incidents near nonprofits that
provide resources to people experiencing
homelessness. A lot around several
vacant structures and a lot around sites
that are geocoded as homeless sites,
which are encampments that the city has
dealt with in the past.
So, now I'll go into the existing
methods that the city uses to address
encampments. The f first is code
enforcement which particularly involves
property maintenance specifically
through the enumeration section of the
code of ordinance. This can include
things such as having weeds or grass
over 24 in accumulation of animal or
vegetable matter, accumulation of
undisposed trash and graffiti. The other
way that the city addresses it is
through its police powers, which
includes se enforcement of several
different ordinances, including blocking
or impending street and sidewalk access,
as well as trespassing, just to name a
few. So, now we'll go into some new
encampment policy options for you to
consider and give guidance on. The first
is an ordinance which focuses on camping
on public property and the second are
zoning ordinance amendments. Before we
go too deep into these policies, I would
like to give a quick overview of the
current legal environment around
encampments. So in 2024, the Supreme
Court case grants pass v. Johnson
established that local governments
regulating encampments even when shelter
space is unavailable is not considered
cruel or unusual punishment per the eth
amendment. Now there were several points
of contention in the litigation that are
important to note as they do show other
ways in which camping ordinances could
be challenged. This includes selective
enforcement of camping ordrances and
other camping regulations exclusively
against people experiencing homelessness
as well as barriers associated with
shelterance as we've discussed before
and policies cannot criminalize someone
based on their status such as being
homelessness based on the Robinson v
California president. So now I'll do a
quick overview of the current
legislative environment on encampment
specifically at the state level. So,
back in July, the general assembly
ratified House Bill 437, which
establishes drug-free homeless service
zones, increases penalty for drug use in
these zones, and restricts local
governments from allowing camping on
their property. So, the governor vetoed
the bill on July 8th, it is currently
being reconsidered in the state
legislature right now. While we don't
know a 100% what they will do with the
bill, specifically with regards to
overriding it, the if the bill were to
become law, we want the policies to be
crafted
and to ensure that they are complying
with the new rules that HB437 would put
in place. So, now I'll go into the
potential impacts that HB437 would have
on the city's current and future
operations. The first thing it would do
is create a state definition for public
camping or sleeping, which the city
could not allow on city-owned or
city-controlled property. Where this
makes things a little different, though,
is that if the city wanted to set up a
regulated encampment on its property, it
would could, but it would need approval
from the Department of Labor. And in
this request to the Department of Labor,
they would have the city would have to
prove the following. that there was a
lack of shelter bed availability and
that the designated property was not
next to an area zone for residential use
would not negatively affect property
values or child safety and meet certain
public health and safety standards. So
now we will go into the camping
ordinance. So there are many
municipalities across the state of North
Carolina that have specific policies to
regulate camping on public property, but
the city of Hendersonville currently
does not have such an ordinance. So this
would make it unlawful to camp or store
personal belongings on cityowned or city
controlled property. For the definition
of camping, we recommend that the city
use the state definition as provided in
HB437
to ensure compliance with state law
should HB437 be enacted. So the city
could choose to go further than this
definition in how they define camping,
but they could not go less than this
definition. So the definition according
to HB437
for public camping or sleeping is
lodging or residing overnight in a
temporary outdoor habitation used as a
dwelling or living space and evidenced
by the erection of a tent or other
temporary shelter, the presence of
bedding or pillows, or the storage of
personal belongings or lodging or
residing overnight in an outdoor space
without a tent or other temporary
shelter. The term does not include
loding or residing overnight in a motor
vehicle that is registered, insured, and
located in a place where it may lawfully
be used or camping for recreational
purposes on property designated for
those purposes. So, as far as
enforcement goes for this ordinance, the
ordinance we would need to be written to
give PD discretion to enforce either
civil or criminal penalties. So for
first offenses, PD could issue a written
warning or a criminal penalty if they
felt that the encampment presented a
significant public health or safety
risk. And then for subsequent offenses,
they could pro issue either civil or
criminal penalties. And criminal
penalties in this case would be a
misdemeanor as provided in general
statute 144. This is the statute that
many local governments that have camping
ordrances have used to regulate camping
on [clears throat] public property
specifically. So that ordinance was
focused mostly on camping on public
property while zoning ordinance on the
other hand amendments on the other hand
are focused on camping on private
property. So camps are currently listed
as a use in the zoning ordinance but are
not clearly defined and because of that
ambiguity camps could mean a lot of
things. Are they summer camps? Are they
recreational campgrounds? Do encampments
fall under that? There's a lot of
questions. And so to clarify this
ambiguity, we recommend that the city
look into the following zoning text
amendments, which would be to define
camps, create a new use called
campgrounds that would be
distinguishable from camps that
encampments would fall under, and also
establishing sanitation standards for
camps and campgrounds. Examples of these
specifically for campgrounds would
include that they would need to have
tables, refuge containers, flush
toilets, bathing facility, and water,
specifically running water. So, now I'll
go into the specific definitions for
camps and campgrounds. For camps, it
would include establishments consisting
of one or more permanent buildings, not
including recreational vehicles or
mobile homes used periodically for
temporary or seasonal accommodation of
individuals, typically providing
programmed activities, including outdoor
recreational or educational
opportunities. So a summer or
recreational camp while campgrounds on
the other hand would focus on any parcel
or tract of land under the control of
any person, organization or governmental
entity where in sites are offered for
the use of the public or members of any
organization for the establishment of
temporary living sites for two or more
recreational vehicles or camping units.
So campgrounds would have to have
designated sites for tents or other
temporary shelters. This is a definition
that was borrowed and modified from the
town of Indian Trail, North Carolina. So
if an encampment was in a private
property that was not where campgrounds
were not allowed, it would be a zoning
violation and if it wasn't an area where
campgrounds were allowed, it would still
have to meet certain public health and
safety standards. So these are the
policies that focus on regulating
encampment. However, regulating
encampment can only be a short-term
solution to the issue of encampments as
in the long run it will just simply move
people around. There are additional
opportunities to address encampments
that should also be considered that get
towards some of the contributing factors
behind encampments. The first is to
address the shelter accessibility
issues in Hendersonville. This would
involve looking at a lot of different
shelter models to determine a more
accessible model that is appropriate for
Hendersonville as well as get providing
more resources to help people who have
physical me and mental health challenges
as well as substance abuse challenges.
This could include things such as
establishing centralized wraparound
services in which these resources would
be located in one centralized location
as well as leveraging relationships with
local healthcare providers for a
behavioral health urgent care or behing
courts to direct people to mental health
services. Another big part of this is
encampment response which will
specifically come through the developing
an encampment response policy and
standard operating procedures. The point
of this is to first ensure consistent
enforcement, two ensure that when the
city is responding to encampments, they
are treating people experiencing
homelessness with dignity and respect.
And three, to help build trust amongst
people experiencing homelessness. And
the last part of this is implementing
the strategic housing plan. Ultimately,
the goal to help people experiencing
homelessness should be be to help them
find a stable and affordable residence.
And the strategic housing plans focus on
permanently affordable units for low to
moderate income households is meant to
help provide this opportunity so that
people experiencing homelessness can
have a safe a stable and affordable
resident. And and so a lot of these
policies are issues that the city will
need to address and take a lead on, but
they will require the city cannot do
these opportunities alone. There will
need to be help from the nonprofit
community, the county, as well as state
and federal partners.
So, that's all I have for my
presentation, and I would now like to
open up to the floor to any feedback or
questions. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. All right, questions,
» Thank you. All right, questions,
comments.
Ethan, so you would suggest that maybe
looking at abandoned some of the
abandoned buildings that are around or
properties in the city, maybe
co-artnering with other organization and
turning those into suitable housing for
the unhoused.
>> Yes, I think turning a lot of the vacant
» Yes, I think turning a lot of the vacant
structures into affordable housing units
or would be a great opportunity to help
people experiencing homelessness. I
think there if we have a lot of vacant
structures, potentially rehabbing those,
especially through the home rehab
program would be a great way to address
that issue. Thank you for bringing that
up.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> Um my question is, is it appropriate to
» Um my question is, is it appropriate to
provide housing before you actually
address the reason of the homelessness?
because um if there are severe mental
health issues and drug addiction,
it to me it doesn't seem like providing
housing will fix that part of it. So, I
mean, I understand having a behold,
fine and dandy, but that's not even
remotely close enough. And so, um, what
is a drug-free homeless zone? So,
drug-free homeless zones are something
that were crafted in HB437.
If you want it, I do not have entirely
know all of the details on the bill, but
it is available on the general
assembly's website. So, if you want some
more information on that, it would I
would recommend you take a look at that,
especially as it continues to be
considered in the general assembly and
potentially considered for an o veto
override.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
It's 300 feet around a facility based
service right now.
>> Um Ethan, I just wanted to thank you for
» Um Ethan, I just wanted to thank you for
bringing this. It's really timely,
especially with 437 in tox override. It
has been a big conversation in the
social services world and um I think
it's important that we
acknowledge that there are not enough
beds right now. Yes.
>> So, thank you for bringing it to us and
» So, thank you for bringing it to us and
thank you for doing the work on it. It's
timely.
» Ethan has worked very hard all summer on
this and um lots of great information.
information has probably been scattered
around our building and he's coalesed it
together um and has is going to leave a
great um package for Jenny Floyd to move
forward with um with our um homeless
resource group that we have put together
that include the nonprofits and and our
shelters and and various other agencies.
So, um it's been a good good work.
>> Okay, any other questions? Oh, um, by
» Okay, any other questions? Oh, um, by
the way, thank you for bringing up Jenny
Floyd. I want to say that thank you,
Jenny, very much for being a big help
with this project and all the work that
you've been doing to address
homelessness in the community. I hope
that this project has been very
informative for you and provides a good
foundation for you as you continue to
look at several of these policy
approaches.
>> You're welcome,
» You're welcome,
>> John. Um will RD behavioral be uh is
» John. Um will RD behavioral be uh is
part of that group?
>> Yes, we we've had several they are
» Yes, we we've had several they are
invited as part of our group and their
behavioral group does participate
>> and there Thank you. Thank you again,
» and there Thank you. Thank you again,
Ethan. Yeah, I wish I was as intelligent
as you were too.
>> Thank you very much.
» Thank you very much.
>> And pretty high. [applause]
» Thank you. Um, and mayor, while we have
the interns, uh, tomorrow is their last
day. They'll be heading back to their
maybe a little bit of vacation before
they head back for their respective
universities. But, um, we're going to
take them to lunch. But, it's been a fun
summer having these sharp, energetic,
um, young folks. I was telling Council
Member Baxter earlier, it's just really
been a breath of fresh air in the
building. um and enjoyed um these two
keeping us straight. Um they did not
hold back at all. So um y'all did a
great job. Parents, you should be very
proud of of
>> Jules and I'm sure Ethan, I will tell
» Jules and I'm sure Ethan, I will tell
your parents that, too. [clears throat]
>> Yeah. Well, I
» Yeah. Well, I
appreciate that we have the
staff and the
funding that we are able to sponsor
interns.
>> Um, not every city can do it and uh I
» Um, not every city can do it and uh I
think we're very fortunate that we have
this opportunity to have have these
young folks with us. So,
>> thank you.
All right.
Okay. We do have a couple public
hearings. First one is an annexation.
Merman Avenue.
Mr. Hayes going to do that tonight?
>> Yes, I will. Um I hope it's just as
» Yes, I will. Um I hope it's just as
exciting as the intern presentation.
I'll try my best. [laughter]
>> You'll have to go a long way to
» You'll have to go a long way to
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
Yes. Uh so the city has received a
petition for a contiguous annexation on
Marryiam uh road. Uh the petitioners are
Greg Grooms. He's the applicant and Juan
Borges is the owner of the property.
It's located uh so it is a contiguous
annexation. It's located at the very
northern boundary of our uh city limits.
Uh you can see it highlighted in red
there. It's off of Asheville Highway. Um
and uh the it's one lot and it is 0.5
acres.
Um and we have a motion for approval, a
motion for denial, and then we have the
annexation plat. And I'm happy to answer
any questions.
>> Anyone have any questions?
» Anyone have any questions?
>> No. Okay. Would the applicant like to
» No. Okay. Would the applicant like to
say anything?
You don't have to, but
if not. Okay. Um,
Madame Clerk, has this public hearing
been advertised in accordance with
general statutes?
>> Yes, Madam Mayor, it has.
» Yes, Madam Mayor, it has.
>> Okay. We'll open this public hearing. No
» Okay. We'll open this public hearing. No
one here signed up to speak. Is there
anyone online seeking recognition to
speak?
>> No, Madame Mayor.
» No, Madame Mayor.
>> Okay. Last call. Anyone?
» Okay. Last call. Anyone?
Okay, we'll close that public hearing.
Councel discussion or a motion.
Madame Mayor, I move that city council
adopt an ordinance of the city of
Hendersonville to extend the corporate
limits of the city as a continuous
annexation to annex that property owned
by Warren Carlos Boes identified as PN
9569-37-
3239. finding that the standards
established by the North Carolina
General Stat 1608A-31
have been satisfied and that the
annexation is in the best interest of
the city. Thank you. Is there any
discussion?
Not those in favor of this annexation
say I. I. I.
>> Those opposed say no.
» Those opposed say no.
Eyes have it. Motion carries and uh that
property is annexed. Thank you.
All right. Next, we have a resoning, a
standard resoning of Ironwood Square.
>> Yes. So, this is a an initial zoning and
» Yes. So, this is a an initial zoning and
the city has initiated this zoning. So,
this was a property that was annexed um
into the city at the last city council
meeting, the July 2nd meeting. Um it is
actually three properties located off of
Case Street um which is very close to
Upward Road.
The applicant or sorry the owners are
conserving Carolina and the children and
family resource center of Henderson
County. And then as I mentioned this is
a city initiated initial zoning. It is
87 acres and um the proposed zoning is
C3 and the future land use designation
for this area is mixeduse commercial. So
here you can see uh two site photos. Um
it's an undeveloped site um off of, as I
mentioned before, off of Case Street.
The um comprehensive plan staff found it
to be and planning board uh recommended
that it was consistent with the
comprehensive plan uh mixeduse
commercial um future land use
designation. And um I'm not going to go
through the rationale for that. That was
provided in the packet. I'm happy to
answer any questions about any of that.
though. Um at the planning board meeting
there was a discussion about um so staff
uh has uh recommended C3 for this zoning
district. We um aren't normally
recommending C3. However, the adjacent
property that is owned by the property
the uh same property owners is currently
zoned C3 and their plans are to combine
those two properties. So it made sense
um to recommend C3 in this case. Um, in
other instances along Upward Road, we uh
normally recommend CHMU, commercial
highway mixed use. Um, and then at the
planning board meeting, there was also
discussion of uh potentially MIC uh
which staff uh did not recommend because
it would be uh we we thought it would be
considered spot zoning. So ultimately,
planning board uh did make the
recommendation for C3 zoning. Um and
here you can see the current zoning. So,
it's um currently Henderson County
Community Commercial. Um and then you
can see that C3 that's directly adjacent
to the south of the subject property.
Um and then uh we have a draft
comprehensive plan consistency statement
and then a draft reasonable statement
rationale for approval or denial. And
I'm happy to answer any questions.
>> Any questions?
No. Okay. Uh would the applicant like to
say anything?
All right. Uh, madame clerk, has this
public hearing been advertised in
accordance with general statutes?
>> Yes, Madam Mayor, it has.
» Yes, Madam Mayor, it has.
>> We will open that p this public hearing.
» We will open that p this public hearing.
Um, no one here signed up to speak. Is
there anyone online wishing recognition
to speak?
>> No, madame mayor.
» No, madame mayor.
>> Okay. Thank you. Anyone? All right.
» Okay. Thank you. Anyone? All right.
We'll close that public hearing. Council
discussion or a motion.
>> Madame Mayor, I would like to recuse
» Madame Mayor, I would like to recuse
myself from the discussion and vote. The
property owner is my employer.
>> Okay. Is that a an acceptable reason? If
» Okay. Is that a an acceptable reason? If
someone would move to
excuse
Madame Mayor, I move that we excuse
Council Member Baxter from this
discussion and vote. Okay. Thank you. Is
there any discussion?
Not those in favor of excusing council
member Baxter from the discussion
say I. I. Those oppos say no. Eyes have
it. Okay.
» Anyone else?
>> I'll enter a motion. Madame Mayor, I
» I'll enter a motion. Madame Mayor, I
move that city council adopt an
ordinance amending the official zoning
map of the city of Hendersonville,
changing the zoning designation of the
subject property pins 9577-79-2337,
9577-79-3365
and 9577-79-4384
from Henderson County Community to City
of Hendersonville C3 Highway based on
the following. petition is found to be
consistent with the city of
Hendersonville GenH comprehensive plan
based on the information from the staff
analysis and because the proposed zoning
of C3 aligns with the GenH 2045
comprehensive plan future land use and
conservation map and the character area
description for mixeduse commercial.
Furthermore, we find this petition to be
reasonable and in the public interest
based on the information from the staff
analysis, public hearing, and because C3
would allow for greater economic use of
the subject property given the wide
range of permitted uses and C3 zoning
along this corridor could lead to
additional opportunities for commercial
uses along a corridor that is seeing
moderate development pressure.
>> Thank you. Is there any discussion?
Not those in favor of this resoning say
I.
>> I. Those oppose say no. Eyes have it.
» I. Those oppose say no. Eyes have it.
Motion carries and that resoning has
been granted. All right. Thank you.
New business. Okay. Strategic plan
closeout fiscal year 24 to 26.
Mr. Volley. Madame Mayor, members of
city council, I'm here tonight to
present the closeout of the FY24 through
FY26 strategic plan that closed on June
30th of 2026 this year. Um, I do
apologize about the quality of this
presentation. Um, one of my co-workers
significantly distracted me last week,
so
[laughter]
I've not been able to focus as much on
the presentation I was thinking about uh
before I heard certain news. Um
[laughter]
>> uh the agenda for this evening uh I'm
» uh the agenda for this evening uh I'm
going to talk a little bit just about
the plan structure of what this plan
looked like right because it it is
different than the current plan we're
entering into. I'll go through just a
highle overview of the plan completion
um some highlights by each goal area uh
importantly what was not achieved or
cancelled or delayed um and then our
next steps. Um so just a little bit
about the plan structure. This was
developed in the spring of 2023. So um
over three years ago at this point we
were at uh the police station and we
were talking about different priorities
and developing the plan for the next
three years. Um and we adopted this plan
with the FY24 budget and we ranked uh 10
goal areas. Um I think it's important to
note you know these plans um they change
and they can change yeartoyear with
different councils. they are a
three-year look, but as you all know,
right, there was different council
members at the start of this plan than
that are sitting on the board now. So,
um I think it's just important to note
that um and I appreciate all of the
effort this council has put into the
plan and the previous council members
who supported it as well. Um our current
breakdown is the city's vision, mission
and values which the strategic plan
tries to uplift and then all the other
departmental plans, the comp plan, the
budgets every year, our performance
indicators and our goal tracking leads
into that strategic plan. Um and then
every um year we try to celebrate
accomplishments. We had been doing these
big um you know pieces of paper uh every
three years and this was the one that um
we had celebrated leading into the FY24
through FY26 plan. Um just really some
things to note back u when you go back
five years is the completion of the U
Hill reservoir. That that project really
paid off during Hurricane Helen having
10 million gallons of water available
for our community. That's something that
was set forth in a strategic plan uh
over eight years ago. Um, and just kudos
to the strong infrastructure work. We we
focused on pay and benefits. You heard
about all the Seventh Avenue work from
Jules's presentation. Uh, and really,
you know, we've been following this
process and I I I hope it's been
fruitful and successful for city council
in advancing our community goals. Um, as
a reminder of our vision and mission
statement and our values that we have on
the wall here, um, Hendersonville is a
vibrant mountain city where government
and citizens work together for a high
quality of life. And we're committed to
providing highquality, efficient
services to all citizens, visitors, and
businesses through open communication,
timely responses, and quality results.
So the plan at a glance um ultimately
this plan had some you know we we've had
co in the middle of plans before but I
would dare to say that hurricane Helen
was one of the largest disruptors since
my time uh here with the city that has
impacted a strategic planning process
and and even though that came through
and really um changed the way we were
doing business and and what our focus
and priorities were uh we still achieved
76.8% 8% of our plan. Our stated goal
out of the gate was to achieve at least
70%. So I'm very happy to say that we
have achieved more than our initial
stated goal even considering the impacts
of Hurricane Helen. And then a huge
shout out to all the staff that helped
me with this. All 167 items in the plan
uh were 100% up to date by our staff at
the end of the process. They update
these quarterly and I couldn't thank
them enough for all the work they do
with that. Um, and off on the left you
can just see the total number of items
that were achieved, on track, off track,
not started, not achieved, or canceled.
And I'm going to go into those a little
bit more detail. So, highlights by goal
area. Um, ranked number one was public
safety. Um, we achieved about 70% of
those goals. Some of the bigger
highlights were the hiring of our
downtown police officer and installing
downtown security infrastructure. We
also installed a social worker
co-responder in the police department to
assess uh
to help out with um supporting those in
crisis. Uh we also installed the quick
response vehic ve vehicle with the fire
department to help preserve our fire
apparatus and prolong their useful life.
Uh we were averaging about 10 shifts per
month uh with the QRV once we put it in
service. So that is uh you know sending
a smaller vehicle to some of these
smaller medical calls that don't require
a large apparatus when we have the
staffing capacity to do so. Um, we also
expanded a second code enforcement
position and uh, if you notice around
town, we're having a lot of activity
with our code enforcement team. Really
appreciate them and we have established
a new vacant property registry that uh,
different departments are contributing
to the community development department
to maintain.
Our second ranked goal was compensation,
benefits, and staff development. We
achieved about 93% of those items. Uh,
this council has always been super
supportive of our staff and it doesn't
go unnoticed. We appreciate everything
you do for our staff and uh over the
years we've done career ladders. We've
invigorated our performance pay program,
implemented paying class studies, and
have pursued a living wage um for all of
our staff in the city of Hendersonville.
Number three was strong infrastructure
with 74.9% completion. Uh some really
big highlights. We had zero SSOs or
sanitary sewer overflows last quarter of
the plan period. Uh we've completed near
completion of all three of our water
sewer master plans and um to John's
point earlier, Timmy Hensley has uh
completed near 98% of his work orders
within 30 days that we've really focused
especially in the past budget on hiring
additional staff. So, um, when we were
down in solid waste, we're not pulling
from our other divisions in public
works, which is delaying their needed
work that needs to get done for the
city. Um, so that has worked out really
well and we are seeing great success uh
with that streets division. Appreciate
Brent and the team. And then, uh, just,
you know, a small generational project
of expanding the water treatment plant
to 15 million gallons, uh, daily um, and
the, uh, construction of the French
Broad River intake. That is uh nothing
to sneeze at and it's a ton of hard work
that our staff has put in and it really
will benefit benefit the community for
generations to come.
The strategic housing plan was ranked
number four. Uh thank you Angie for this
one and thank you Lou. You know we have
adopted the strategic housing plan
council. You were a huge piece of this.
Um we do have work to do on affordable
units as we know but we are making
headway on the market rate units and
we've also hired a housing planner uh
with some of our ARP funds or sorry
dogwood health trust funds.
The fifth ranked was growth management
and community character. Uh we achieved
about 72% of that goal area. Big again
generational type uh achievement was the
adoption of the new comprehensive plan.
A really robust planning process. We put
ton of effort into get getting the
community's input on that and we have a
good guide now that is also influencing
the development of our overlay districts
and more specifically the downtown
design overlay which you heard I believe
in June of this year. Uh also uh the
missing middle housing objectives that
we established uh planning staff has
done a really good job of diligently
adopting zoning text amendments that are
supporting the infill of missing middle
housing. Some of those are minor PRD
allowances, double density for half-unit
allowances, and small lot provisions.
So, kudos to the planning staff and
thank you all for for pushing that
forward. Those are not necessarily easy
things to solve, and they've gotten
really creative on how to go about uh
implementing that for the future.
Uh number six, invest in parks. This was
the lowest. This is probably the most
impacted by Hurricane Helen uh with 50%
achieved. Uh big kudos to Brennan
Shanahan and the team on uh beginning
construction of the Clear Creek
Greenway. That was a a big one coming
down to the wire at the end of the plan,
but we got it rolling uh with some help
from our NPO chair uh co-chair and uh
the money coming in to make that uh
happen. So, thanks to everybody for
that. That's going to be a great
project. Uh we installed pickle ball
courts at Patton Park. We've installed
bike racks uh citywide. Um but the
biggest thing is right, we deferred the
parks bond I think just based on staff
capacity at this point. That's probably
a good thing. Um, we're really focusing
on the transportation bond right now and
we have brought the parks bond into the
new strategic plan and we'll be looking
at park improvements uh post hopefully
FEMO awards to repair our parks.
Uh, number se seven was enhanced
sustainability citywide with 85%
complete. Uh, we adopted a new tree
ordinance here uh new sustainability
plan. We planted over a 100 trees
annually which was double our stated
goal of 50 trees annually and we have
implemented a sustainable fleet policy.
Number eight was transportation
planning. Uh big one here. Uh we know in
March we passed the general obligation
bond for transportation projects. So
that is well underway. I know some of
you are more familiar with the first
project than others, but uh if you're
down on Bearecat Boulevard, you'll see
um road and sidewalk improvements are
hard at work. Uh and also uh King
Street. I would be remiss to note this
as the mayor has brought King Street up
I think maybe for my uh first days on
the job. I've been hearing about King
Street in our planning processes and
that actually received some of the
highest scoring in the recent spot
scores. Uh and we do have money now set
aside in the transportation bond to um
hopefully implement that project.
Uh number nine was city boards and
volunteers with 75% of that area
complete. A huge one. Shout out to Jenny
Floyd for um and Jill Murray for really
knocking out the core of the city
academy. We had our first citizens
academy this spring uh with 19 of the 20
participants graduating from that class
and we held four appreciation dinners
for our boards and committees over the
plan period.
And lastly, support downtown businesses.
We completed about 94% of these areas.
Uh really big one um which I think you
know kind of an unsung hero is our our
downtown program. They're they do
amazing work and a lot of times we not
everyone I think notices how much
they're actually doing. Some of these
numbers I think are a real testament to
their work. Uh we had opportunity fund
loans that was established in this plan
period which we distributed $1.2 million
of loans to startup businesses in our
downtown. Uh this was far exceeding the
$100,000 target we set out to uh
hopefully achieve at the start of the
plan. Uh we also distributed $101,734
in business support grants over the
planned period uh ranging from facade
grants, art grants, and pivot grants for
local businesses. So uh kudos to our
downtown team. They do a ton of great
work and they are hard at it right now
this time of year.
Uh so what wasn't achieved, right? This
this is just as important as what was.
Um, of the 167 items, 33 closed. The
plan period is off track, not achieved
or cancelled. Some of the bigger things
are mostly related to Helen, but we also
have some headwinds from uh regulatory
challenges and just the status of um the
ability for local governments to
implement ordinance and regulation uh
with current state uh oversight. And so
uh the first of those was flood response
and ordinance. We've talked a lot about
that. We're still working on flood
response procedures. However, we've kind
of held off on pursuing any major flood
ordinance changes, awaiting to see kind
of the mood at the legislature around
some of these changes. Uh, also we have
not fully addressed motor vehicle
accidents. We are still working on that.
That's going that's a major part of our
new plan period. And it's something that
I think the transportation bond, our
traffic unit teams, and the work that
Brent's team is doing on analyzing
intersections, which you'll hear about
later on tonight, of how to address
these motor vehicle accidents we're
having in our community. Uh the other
was housing entitlements, right? We just
have not gotten enough affordable
housing, but we have the housing plan.
We have the housing planner. We're going
to continue to push that ball in the
next plan. And then park investments
obviously was the other largest area
which um was predominantly damaged
through Helen and we've been working to
rebuild that.
So with that um don't want to take too
much time tonight. I do send the
quarterly updates on the strategic plan
and so I want you to know you have that.
If you have questions about that or you
want it in different formats, please let
me know. Um and we'll continue to
provide those to you as we move forward.
>> Um I just have a comment. So the
» Um I just have a comment. So the
affordable housing piece um when we
approve
>> Oh, okay. Sorry. So when we approve a
» Oh, okay. Sorry. So when we approve a
market rate project that we include
affordable units in
>> um just to point out we can still use
» um just to point out we can still use
that as a tool to kind of tick away at
the affordable units. And so just
hopefully using more of those
opportunities when we have market rate
to
require some of the affordable units to
be a part of it, especially if the
developer is willing to add affordable
units. I think that's a discussion too
that we should definitely keep having.
>> Yeah. And we're definitely working on
» Yeah. And we're definitely working on
including that in our tracking um to
ensure that we're not just classifying
one development as a single type of
category, right? There could be multiple
categories in a single development.
That's a
>> great point.
else.
Okay,
thank you for keeping track of all of
this for the regular updates that we've
been getting and
on to the next.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> All right.
Next uh discussion regarding 4th Avenue
Halloween street closure.
>> Mayor vault, members of city council. Um
» Mayor vault, members of city council. Um
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but
that is my job tonight as it relates to
um Halloween um street closure on on
Fourth Avenue. Um stra uh several years
ago um the council was concerned about
safety um due to the number of folks
that were um trick-or-treating
particularly on 4th Avenue and uh staff
brought a recommend a couple different
recommendations to council um and
council chose to um direct staff to do a
partial closure um of 4th Avenue to try
to provide at least some sense of safety
on Fourth Avenue. Um it it worked. We
have created this what I will call an
attractive nuisance
um where people after we we have a full
closure on Main Street and have a
trick-or- treat street and all the
activities between the downtown group as
well as um the um Henderson County Parks
and Recreation Department. And those
folks enjoy that for a while and then
they move on across Church Street down
to 4th Avenue. Um, and it has become its
own trick-or- treat street there. And,
uh, the reason we did the partial
closure, if you remember, is that staff
capacity, barricade capacity, um, just
capacity to have two large hall
Halloween events um, was was not in our
ability um, from our organ the size of
our organization and activities going
around the rest of the city, right? I
mean, we still had to have police
patrols throughout the rest of the city,
plus fire and EMS had to be available.
So, we did a partial closure where we
closed the two ends of the of Fourth
Avenue for about a mile and then we left
the cross streets open with um limited
barricading and VIPs so that we could
try to control traffic there so that
residents could get in and out of their
homes. And if we needed to get emergency
um apparatus or police or whatever
through 4th Avenue, we could in a in a
manner. Well, we have created this
nuisance and um attractive nuisance.
That's a good thing, I think. But um uh
so many people are coming there. The
state the police started looking at
options
to how do we control this that may could
get out of hand because we were still
having vehicles drive down Fourth Avenue
and we were worried about somebody
getting hit or safety in that area. So
we met with a variety of folks including
our risk management group from the
insurance company and we really
determined that there were only two
options for us. Um, one would be to do a
com total complete street closure like
we do on Main Street, not allow any
traffic for a period of time along um,
4th Avenue from Washington Street down
to Valley Blle Valley
down the valley or down to Ble closing
all the cross streets and there's a
number of intersections that don't line
up going through there. So it provides
some other challenges to completely
close off the street. So it would take
significant resources for us to do that.
So we insurance company said, "Hey, you
got to do one of two things. You either
got to have complete closure um of that
area to to to really protect your
liability and protect the citizens and
and
you know to to deal with this attractive
nuisance or you're going to have to get
out of the Fourth Avenue street closure
business." and staff has evaluated and
looking at cost in those thing and we
just bearer of bad news we just don't
have the capacity to do a complete
street closure also I'd be concerned
that if there's a medical emergency on
4th Avenue at a residence that the
public that we couldn't get fire and
police and EMS apparatus in there quick
enough to deal with that emergency. So,
um staff comes to you as the manager
comes to you with the bear of bad news
tonight. um with the recommendation that
we um end discont continue any closure
whatsoever. It was never meant to be a
city event. Um it was meant to be a a
city um resident kind of partnership and
at this point I think um I'm going to
have to ask that we cease our
involvement in it. Realize that not
everybody will get the word between now
and Halloween. So, I would propose to
you that we we discontinue any closure
portion of this. However, that we
utilize our message board um at the
Washington Street end um of 4th Avenue
as a reminder of folks that it is a
congested area. There will be a number
of trick-or-treaters encourage people to
use the sidewalks and also talking to
the chief and the police department that
we um provide for uh police officers
like we typically do in this area just
to as we phase away from any kind of
street closure. So that is where we are.
That is our recommendation. Um this is a
council decision but that is our that is
our recommendation since you directed us
to begin with. council.
Any discussion
for a motion?
>> Madame Mayor, I move that the city
» Madame Mayor, I move that the city
council discontinue the 4th Avenue
Halloween street closure. Thank you. Is
there any discussion?
Not those in favor of the motion to
discontinue the street closure say I. I.
Those oppose say no. Eyes have it.
Motion carries. And uh we'll not
continue with that. Good intentions
don't always work out the way we'd like
them to.
» Okay. Next, approval of on street
parking signage and pavement marking
plan for South Whitted and Jordan Street
4th Avenue acousta trail intersection.
Mayor Council
here to present something much less
controversial.
» So, uh, so the city engaged, uh, McAdams
Company, formerly TPD, who we've worked
with over the years to evaluate traffic
parking, multimodal safety conditions
along Southwitted and at Jordan and
Fourth Avenue intersection adjacent to
the acoustic trail. I don't want to say
it's a an attractive nuisance, but the
Acusa Trail opened last summer and it
has brought uh some definite um areas
where we saw that uh there needed to be
some safety traffic safety improvements.
Um there was on street parking uh
previously along Southwitted.
our public safety folks came to our uh
to public works folks about a year or so
ago and asked um if we could post uh
some no parking signage out there. We
did and since then we've uh we've worked
on a plan with McAdams to uh to come up
with something
a little in between uh where we are
allowing parking on one side of the
street. Um, like I said, McAdams put
together a plan. I'll go over some of
the highlights here in a second. Uh, why
it matters. Motor safety, bicycle
connectivity with the acousta trail, and
obviously pedestrian trail safety.
Uh, real quick, uh, Brent Pope and his
team, uh, Brent and Jeremy were here
earlier from our traffic engineering
group, uh, division. Uh, they did a
speed study in July, July 8th through
the 15th. I unfortunately I apologize I
have the labels mixed. So southbound is
actually on the left side and northbound
is on the right. But you can see that
the um posted speed limit in each
direction is 25. The 85th percentile
which is a a factor that goes into a lot
of our when it comes to traffic calming.
Uh right now our current traffic calming
policy says if you're 10 miles over um
that triggers looking into some traffic
calming measures. So you can see from
the northbound on the right side should
be northbound. Uh we're close to the 10
mph average speed of about 30 miles per
hour. Uh vehicles over that limit uh 86%
and the AAD is another traffic
engineering term. It's uh annual average
daily traffic uh which is basically we
we count count cars for about a week or
so at a time and we project that we
interpolate that number over a year and
then divide by 365. And so ballpark
you're seeing about 670
vehicles or so in each direction. I did
want to point out it's not on here but I
jotted down some notes um from the
report. The max speed in either
direction uh was about 50 miles per
hour. So, um we were out there uh uh
Brendan and I were out with the with the
engineer from McAdams um
uh several weeks ago and we probably saw
somebody that was going 50 miles an hour
uh coming down the hill there. So, um,
and I did want to point out, you'll see
here, I'll have a a diagram here in a
sec. Uh, but Hebrin, uh, which is a DOT
road, which is, uh, um, witted spits out
onto on its south end. Um, it is at
about 3,000 AAT.
So, in comparison, about five times the
amount of traffic.
Um key improvements for Southwitted
revised on street parking updated the
sherros which is the bicycle uh uh
vehicle shared lane marking uh advanced
warning signage trail crossing
visibility. We've actually cleared some
vegetation around an existing sign that
was there that was perhaps blocking uh
uh motorists being able to see the stop
sign at the trail or near the trail.
um speed limit uh reinforcement signage
and then I'll talk about potentially
some traffic calming for future
consideration.
So hopefully this works okay. Um so
I should have made that bigger. Um so at
the south end um you've got Hebrin. We
I'll just go over kind of the
highlights. So, we are going to add
there is currently no crosswalk painted
on that end. So, we are proposing to add
a crosswalk and then it's I apologize
it's pretty hard to see at that uh
screen or at that level, but we would
paint a kind of tri triangular areas and
and get in this would be three parking
spaces here. Um and then also do the
same here. So have plenty of space to uh
you know around the drives that are on
the west side of Witted. And then um
this would be a total of I want to say
uh I think that's 13
uh it's six 16 spaces on on this on this
end as you get closer to Linux Park
Drive. Um some other highlights. Stop me
at any time if you have any questions.
Uh, some other highlights, uh, obviously
we'll remove the no parking signs that
are out there currently on that side of
the street. We will add a no parking.
It's flipped upside down. Um uh but uh
these traffic engineers uh the no
parking sign uh or no parking anytime
with the arrow, you know, clearly
designated that uh you're not to park
beyond the area where we've got the uh
where we've got the paintings or painted
markings. There's also a uh a stop ahead
that is uh that we'll be painting on the
road. Um and then some uh a stop ahead
uh sign
and relocating some sherrows. Uh that
was one thing that I missed on here. So
some of the sheros would actually be in
that parking lane if you will. We would
shift the sher so it's very obvious that
it's in the travel lane. Um and one
thing to note again apologize it's
really small. Uh but maybe you can see
it on your screens a little bit better
if you're looking. But uh what we'll
have left for pavement would be about 16
ft. So it' be about 8 foot travel lanes
isn't unheard of around town.
Um any questions on southwitted?
[snorts]
I would I will say just to as it relates
to the speed 8 foot lanes will feel much
tighter than what is there now which is
a positive on slowing people as they go
down that hill. So that is so
>> yeah and I I'll mention it now because
» yeah and I I'll mention it now because
uh regarding the traffic coming because
it applies to the to this project if you
will. I'll get into the other project
here in a second, but the plan would be,
you know, the the striping is painted or
this Yeah, the striping is painted. The
the road will be striped, right? But
that doesn't really it's not anything
hard to kind of direct traffic.
Hopefully, the vehicles abide by the
striping if there is nobody parked
there, right? But so if you've got times
where there's nobody parked there, say
trailides closed or early in the morning
or whatever, you know, we hope that
people actually follow the the markings
and stay out of the uh out of the
parking lane, if you will. Uh there's no
guarantee. So what we'll do is we'll
kind of assess things, particularly as
the fall comes up and as we go into
winter, and maybe assess it over a
couple different time periods. So, kind
of a busy busier time and then maybe a
slower time over the winter. Do some
speed um counts and see if we've
actually helped to kind of reduce the
speeds in the area. Um, and if we
haven't, we may come back to you at some
point and want to make some of those
those bulb out areas, those painted
areas, maybe maybe harden them with
curving, which we could do um with your
approval, of course.
Uh, Jordan and fourth. Um, this one is
really really um kind of confusing if
you've been through there. Um, we're
talking about an all-way stop
conversion, advanced [snorts] warning
signage, and trail crossing protection.
And, um, this one, so as it stands, uh,
there is not a stop coming south on uh,
Jordan to fourth until you get to the
trail itself. So,
um, so basically what you have is you've
got folks coming through here. People do
stop on fourth. I guess this is midway
on this side, but people do stop at
either side here, but they're kind of
confused if somebody's coming up on the
trail. There's basically just general
confusion there. It's not an ideal
scenario even for, you know, we kind of
went back and forth with the traffic
engineer. Brandon and Chris had some
good feedback and we came up with a kind
of a a joint solution to post this as an
all-way stop in all directions including
the trail. So So really what you'll have
is, you know, we'll be adding that's why
they're in red. We'll be adding the
hallway to the stop signs that are
currently there at Midway and Fourth.
And we'll add a stop sign with the
hallway and then a stop ahead um on um
Jordan coming south.
So,
and hopefully that will, you know, this
is not I didn't we don't have I didn't
pull the ADT the the counts for this
area. It's not a very heavily traveled
area, but um hopefully this will
alleviate some of the some of the
confusion that's out there. Um be happy
to go back and look at any of that
again. We've got a motion. It's here for
your benefit. Um and um this there's a
resolution that goes with it. Obviously,
it's referred to in the motion. and it
would approve the signage and signing
and payment plan. Um, authorize city
manager or designate to actually install
the devices coordinated to MUTCD
and then direct staff to update our
official traffic control and parking map
which is currently in progress.
>> Will you go back to south witted
» Will you go back to south witted
>> to wed?
Okay. So,
um,
you said we're going to take the plan is
to take down the no parking signs that
are on the opposite side of the street
>> on the on the west side.
» on the on the west side.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> We're going to keep them on the east
» We're going to keep them on the east
side.
>> Okay. Gotcha.
» Okay. Gotcha.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Um,
» Um,
>> yeah. The um Yeah, this that in the
» yeah. The um Yeah, this that in the
center of the circle here, that's
leadering and that that leader or that
arrow is going to the east side. So,
it'll it'll remain no parking on the
east side.
>> Okay. And then will there be center
» Okay. And then will there be center
lines painted?
>> No. Um it's really the street it's a
» No. Um it's really the street it's a
local road. It's really too narrow to
paint.
>> Um like a double yellow. We are really
» Um like a double yellow. We are really
hard to see. Um I'd be happy to get you
all, you know, I could print something
larger and get it to you all. Um or or
send everyone an email. um because it is
really hard to see there. Our plan is to
paint a double yellow as you turn on to
uh say if you're coming from Hebrin in
either direction and turning on to u
southwitted. So it's very very obvious
where the lane is where the northbound
lane is.
>> Okay. Gotcha.
» Okay. Gotcha.
>> So but that that line would only go so
» So but that that line would only go so
far. I my eyes aren't good enough to to
see the dimension on that, but it's only
going to go so so far down.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Does that Does that make sense?
» Does that Does that make sense?
>> Yes, it makes sense that that is the
» Yes, it makes sense that that is the
plan. Why? It's only it's only going
down so far so that it directs traffic
flow and then people will
>> Yeah, just go to
» Yeah, just go to
>> because here here the road is still as
» because here here the road is still as
wide as it is now, right? Yeah, I got
you.
>> And the parking does, we can't have
» And the parking does, we can't have
parking, you know, right up to apron.
There's got to be a transition. So, in
that transition area, you know, where
the where kind of the triangle is
painted,
>> the double yellow will designate the
» the double yellow will designate the
lanes.
>> So, you don't have people turning on
» So, you don't have people turning on
from Hebrin into, you know, oncoming
traffic.
>> Cool. Thank you.
» Any other questions? Good question.
>> No, this is great because I know
» No, this is great because I know
business owners down there, residents
and trail users have all been concerned.
So,
>> Yep.
» Yep.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> There may be more of these coming, too.
» There may be more of these coming, too.
>> Yeah. We figured
» All right. Thank you.
>> Council discussion
» Council discussion
or a motion.
Madame Mayor, I move that city council
adopt a resolution approving the signing
of pavement marking plan and associated
on street parking regulations for
Southwood Street and the Jordan Street
Fourth Street Acousta Trail intersection
as presented.
>> Thank you. Is there any discussion?
» Thank you. Is there any discussion?
Not those in favor of the resolution say
I.
>> I. Those oppos say no.
» I. Those oppos say no.
>> Eyes have it. And we hope that that will
» Eyes have it. And we hope that that will
help. May not cure things, not do
anything cure it, but help it. Uh, next,
proposed utility billing policy changes.
Okay. Latest update on this one.
>> Good evening, Madame Mayor and members
» Good evening, Madame Mayor and members
of council. I'm here tonight to do a
follow-up presentation from the July
22nd council meeting. And I know really
I just want to get feedback from you
guys and direction and answer any
questions that you might have. And I do
have a few updates um since the last
presentation as well. So I'm going to do
just a quick summary just as a recap of
what we discussed on the July 22nd
meeting. The recommended policy changes
that we would like to see are the first
one is the property owner and tenant
responsibility. So, this is going to be
a lot with our contract updates with the
customer. And what we're trying to do is
hold the owner or the tenant liable to
pay the unpaid balance on the prior
account before the new service can start
at another address. So, right now, when
they stop service at that address, they
can go open up a new account and they
don't have to pay their prior balance.
So, we're wanting to change the contract
language on that so that we can hold
that owner or that tenant responsible
for that before they start service at
another address. And then also, when
they put in to cancel service at that
address,
we want to be able to transfer
automatically back to the owner. So, if
the tenant leaves service, we get a
cancellation for service, we want to be
able to automatically transfer that
service into the owner's name until they
find another tenant. But the owner is
not going to be responsible for the
prior uncollected balance on the tenant
account. They will only be responsible
once the service gets changed into their
name. And then the other thing is that
we want to um not have an owner deposit
required for non-owner occupied
property. The second thing that we're
recommending is to reduce the
disconnection timeline.
We want to reduce the days of exposure
from 96 to 68 days. This is basically
the time between the previous reading
for for the bill that the customer is
being cut off for up until the day
service is terminated. that makes up
your full days of exposure and that's a
liability for the city as far as
collection goes. And we are recommending
that we change the disconnection date by
four weeks earlier rather than at 8
weeks. And then the third thing is we
want to update the leak adjustment
policy. So to do that, we're going to
define preventable versus
non-preventable leaks. Preventable leaks
are not eligible for adjustment. We're
wanting to change so that we allow one
adjustment every 24 months. Previously,
it was 36 months. And then we want to
increase the maximum adjustment from
1,000 to $3,000.
And also, we'll require proof that the
leak has been repaired. The fourth item
is corrective billing and late fee
policy updates. So, for billing
corrections, we want to align that to be
a two-year window on both sides. So, we
want to be able to go back two years for
if a customer is underbuild or two years
if they're overbuild. Previously, we had
two years if underbuild, but an
indefinite amount of time if overbuild.
And then the late fee penalty. I know
last time there was a lot of questions
about this. We are actually going to
recommend something different tonight.
Um, we are recommending so let's see.
We're assessing one day after due date
is what we would like to do and extend
the due date by five days. But I'm going
to go into that in more detail right
now.
So for the late fee assessment
last presentation we recommended
option C up here and we said to keep the
current due date and assess the late fee
one day after the due date. So that
gives them a total of 16 days to pay.
And then there was feedback from you all
that, you know, as an option, could we
do a five-day grace period, which would
be keep the bill due date 15 days, but
assess have a five-day grace period
there, which would give 20 days to pay.
We're after we've done a little bit of
research and we compared really across
the state other municipalities and we
also compared our peer group in the
area. We actually would like to
recommend now that we change our due
date for our bills to be 20 days from
the bill date and then assess a um late
fee one day after. So, of our peer group
here, three of our closest
municipalities,
um, all do 20 days in next day late fee
assessment. And then also, it's very
consistent throughout the state that
most bills are being most of the bills
have a due date at around 20 days. Some
of them do have 15, but I would say that
most of the ones we looked at were very
aggressive in our due date currently at
15 days. Um, so we would like to
recommend that we change the bill due
date to be 20 days and then do a one day
after late fee assessment.
» I don't know. Does anybody have thoughts
on that or
>> I think that's a great idea. Okay. Same.
» I think that's a great idea. Okay. Same.
>> Yeah, I think that's a good compromise
» Yeah, I think that's a good compromise
and it and it keeps people closeish to
what they're used to now. So there won't
be such a
reshuffleling of finances around what
time in the pay period they need to
think about it.
>> Yeah. I think it's less confusing too.
» Yeah. I think it's less confusing too.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> And there was a time too like there was
» And there was a time too like there was
a maybe a few years ago where the
printing or something got off. I mean, I
know a lot of people are on like the e
billills now,
>> but there was a period where we were
» but there was a period where we were
getting our water bill in the mail and
it was literally due like within two or
three days. And I know there was some
kind of a print vendor issue or
something I feel like, but I feel like
that kind of also gives a bit of a
buffer in case people are still getting
paper bills. So, I think it's great.
>> I appreciate y'all going back on that
» I appreciate y'all going back on that
and find another
>> Yeah. And really it still is it's not
» Yeah. And really it still is it's not
changing anything as far as our days of
exposure. And that was the most
important thing to us is that we don't
that we do better on our days of
exposure and don't expand that. So by
doing that option, we're not changing
our days of exposure, but we're giving
the customer more time to pay. And then
we're also kind of winning on giving,
you know, making the late fee be the
next day, too. So, um, but yeah, that
puts us pretty much in line with
everybody around us
and then, um, is well, I'll go into the
implementation timeline one more time,
but we're basic. So, we've already done
the July 22nd workshop meeting and then
today just asking council feedback and
direction and then the next meeting we
would like to propose those changes for
adoption and then go live October 1st if
possible. But we do realize there's
going to be a lot of communication needs
out there. So, we do want to make sure
that October 1st deadline or go live
date is doable. And if we need to move
that to maybe November, we could also do
that. But I do want to make sure that we
have enough time to get communication
out to everybody because it is a lot of
changes.
>> Is that because you feel like you need
» Is that because you feel like you need
60 days from when we adopt it?
>> Yeah, I'm worried about the adoption
» Yeah, I'm worried about the adoption
date because we want to get the letters
in the bills. So, at that point, we're
almost missing on being able to have at
least a good month of communication
>> because we've all been hearing this, I
» because we've all been hearing this, I
feel like, a good bit, right?
>> Is it okay to adopt it tonight and then
» Is it okay to adopt it tonight and then
this starts at least you have more
communication time so that we could
start it then?
» I don't see why we need to wait. Do we
need to wait until September to adopt
it? Do we need any written
um
>> um let's see if you could make a motion
» um let's see if you could make a motion
to accept the recommendations and direct
staff to bring the documentation back at
October consistent.
>> She can do it.
» She can do it.
>> Oh, sorry. And she can go and and they
» Oh, sorry. And she can go and and they
can start other work.
>> Exactly. If if you all have already made
» Exactly. If if you all have already made
the motion to accept the
recommendations, then we can go ahead
and start the public information piece.
that's still not officially adopted
until September
>> because I feel like we're all on the
» because I feel like we're all on the
same page and if that gives staff more
time
>> then
» then
>> and we could just [music] drop any
» and we could just [music] drop any
ordinance changes or whatever unless we
needed council to discuss it we'll just
drop it on the consent agenda.
>> Yes. Yeah. Do that for sure.
» Yes. Yeah. Do that for sure.
>> And as long as finance had and customer
» And as long as finance had and customer
service had clear direction that they
can begin the communication
That would work out really good.
>> Sweet.
» Sweet.
>> So, do we need to make some sort of
» So, do we need to make some sort of
formal
>> just that you're going to that to accept
» just that you're going to that to accept
the recommendation and direct staff to
bring back the ordinance amendments and
policy changes and contract updates at
the September meeting for adoption. So,
somebody would say so moved.
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Thank God. [laughter] I was like, I'm
» Thank God. [laughter] I was like, I'm
gonna say I move whatever she said.
>> Perfect.
» [snorts]
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> All right. We've got we have our motion.
» All right. We've got we have our motion.
Uh is there any discussion?
>> Not. Those in favor of moving ahead with
» Not. Those in favor of moving ahead with
these changes say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Those opposed say no.
» Those opposed say no.
>> Motion carries. We will move ahead get
» Motion carries. We will move ahead get
the formal paperwork next month.
>> Thank you very much. I appreciate
» Thank you very much. I appreciate
>> you. Thank you and the staff for all the
» you. Thank you and the staff for all the
time
>> that was put into this big project.
» that was put into this big project.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Next, consideration of community
advisory committee charter and rules of
procedure. Mr. Con,
>> Mayor Vault, members of city council, um
» Mayor Vault, members of city council, um
upon the direction of the city council,
we are uh rechartering or chartering a
new advisory committee. It' be the
community advisory committee. This would
be a committee that would of citizens
and residents um of Hendersonville and
maybe a greater area. I'll talk about
that in a minute. That would really
advise the council. They're the purpose
would be to advise the city council in
matters of transparency,
communication, and engagement. Um they
would serve as an advisory committee for
staff to take. Um if we have complaints
such as um such as this um utility
billing or um other things that citizens
are concerned, flock cameras, um things
that we can have a citizen committee to
help provide feedback to staff as we are
developing policies, as we're engaging
the public, where can we do better with
communication? Um it's just another
opportunity. Ultimately those things
come to you but this is an advisory
committee to help us do some work. We
are getting ready to um re revamp our
service excellence program. This
committee would would help support
service excellence as it relates to how
we're dealing with external customers.
Um also one of the things that we need
to work on is a is a very clear um
complaint process. Um, have some citizen
has a complaint, who does it go to, how
do we track it that that complaint's
been addressed, and how do we make sure
that the citizen or the community is
notified how we respond to that
complaint? So, we are proposing tonight
to have the community advisory
committee. This will will take place of
the former diversity and inclusion
committee. Um, this is um so this will
be the community advisory. Uh the one
question for city council is how would
you like the membership and the
appointment of this committee? Um the
terms of service are very typical for
our rest of our commissions. We'll start
out with a staggered appointment um to
to get those staggered terms. Um the
rest of this charter very similar to
your other um boards and commissions
meeting it depicts when they meet. I
mean putting the schedule together and
gives that direction for once we form
the committee. But it would be
consistent of uh seven
uh members um either totally at large or
my recommendation may be four C city
residents and then three at large. Um
that way you have um a majority of
members from within the city really
helping the city but then also you have
because of our utility customers. This
is a mechanism that you may um have
those three other atlarge members. This
is suggesting our city attorney may have
um her thoughts about that. mayor would
serve as a city a liaison and the mayor
prom serving as the alternate city
council liaison because this is a
committee that really is about
engagement and working with the um with
the community. So, um we have the draft
charter here. We're glad to answer any
questions, need some direction about how
you want the the make up the committee
to be and we stand by to um ask answer
those questions um get that direction
and if you're so willing to approve it
then we'll begin the recruitment and
appointment process.
>> So I agree with John that I think it
» So I agree with John that I think it
should be four city seats and three
[cough]
at large seats. I don't really like the
idea of saying seven at large seats
because then we could end up with not a
single city resident on there. Um, and
so I think that just makes sure that
we're pulling
we still have opportunities for folks
that may not live in the city but use
the city um to be on the board and like
you said the utility customers but at
least the majority of them would be city
residents.
Could we say a minimum of four city?
>> We may
» We may
as we don't know exactly who's going to
apply.
You good with that?
[laughter]
Madame Mayor, I move the city council
approve the community advisory committee
charter and rules of procedure as
amended.
Okay. Is there any discussion?
Not those in favor of uh the new
community advisory committee say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Those opposed say no. Eyes have it.
» Those opposed say no. Eyes have it.
Motion carries and we can move
move on with that get because I've had
uh contact by some people that uh would
be interested in serving. So
>> we can get going.
» we can get going.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> All right. Thank you. Uh, city manager
» All right. Thank you. Uh, city manager
report.
>> Mayor vote, members of city council, uh,
» Mayor vote, members of city council, uh,
your July contingency and adjustment
report is included in your agenda packet
for your review. Uh, we'll stand by to
answer any questions about that. Uh,
remind that we're having, weather
permitting, we think we're in good shape
for splash day on
>> Saturday um, at Sullivan Park um, from
» Saturday um, at Sullivan Park um, from
10 to 1. We we are putting a couple
different things together. We are having
the fun things for the kids and the
splash, but also we'll be there as kind
of a resource center, a variety of staff
trying to get engage with residents to
get their feedback on a couple different
things. So, we'll be there doing that.
um particularly the new playground
um police um interaction in that in the
Green Meadows neighborhood particularly
but also across the city. So a number of
your leaders in this room will be there
um enjoy enjoying watching the kids and
adults play in the water but we will be
there um maybe the police chief will
even get wet. don't look but uh um but
uh if the fire department has anything
to do with it definitely right um but we
will be there um on Saturday and such
just remind you of that and then finally
um tonight uh mayor's memories um August
7th 2014
um it was a short meeting mayor um I was
there but it was short we were out of
here by 8 o'clock about this time
exactly
>> here we are it was
» here we are it was
>> 7:57 seven. On um August 7th, 2014, um
» 7:57 seven. On um August 7th, 2014, um
we uh considered a budget and management
um position. It was um our current
deputy city manager's first promotion um
back in August of 2014. I thought that's
a little bit ironic. Um um we had our
first or an updated uh finance director
Lisa White uh updated our C petty cash
policy to make sure as we were handling
cash across the organization that we
were counting for that and protecting
the taxpayers's money. We had a public
hearing um one of many that we've had
around Grace Blueish Church and Florence
Street with that property. I think we
finally have settled on that property,
but um number of public hearings through
the years related to the Grace Blue
Ridge Church property. Um a public
hearing also resoning of uh two vacant
parcels that also became part of
interfaith assistance ministry over on
Freeman Street. So allowed I um yeah the
AM to build their new facility um and
move from where they previously were. Um
our budget first formal budget one of
our first formal budget documents um
were presented as a matter of
information um and we had formatted it
for the GFOA award which we won that
year. Uh parking on Half Moon Trails a
topic.
other parking issues. As I told the the
mayor the other day or we were joking
around that um you know man in invented
the wheel and the next day they were
complaining about parking and so um we
had a at that meeting um we um had a
consideration of parking issues and had
our first
more modern comprehensive parking study
with Dixon Unlimited when they came in
and looked at how we were doing
enforcement. several other things that
happened um related to um pedestrian
safety
uh the square dance club at the Whitmire
Center and everything. But um so that
was on August the 7th and then on
ironically on August 11th of 2014 there
was a special joint meeting of the 7th
Avenue Advisory Committee and the city
council. Um, as Mayor Pro Tim mentioned,
uh, Steve Carricker was a champion of
that area and he made sure area um, that
we had a special meeting where we had
brought in an architect to look at the
facades and give some suggested improve
some kind of free architecture work.
They did a chet. We invited the owners
to come over and we talked about how we
can improve the area related to
visibility, walking, um, looking at the
structures. Um, so we did that. Um, one
of the key leaders that I could not
remember his name until I see it now,
Carson Cton at City Tire, um, was part
of that. Dennis Dunlap, Terry Ketchum,
Chris Cormier, Barl Bean was also
instrumental, Jim Catetter, and Martin
Ray. So, we had three meetings that
month. the the third meeting um in
August of that month in 2014 was the
city attorney's um performance
evaluation which is also ironic because
we'll do that um later later this month
for city attorney. So a lot of irony in
what we do. We don't change much. So
that is all I have mayor.
>> Okay. Thank you. Uh we do have uh well
» Okay. Thank you. Uh we do have uh well
council anything council wants to bring
up.
No. Okay. Close session.
>> Madame Mayor, I move that city council
» Madame Mayor, I move that city council
enter close session pursuant to NC North
Carolina general statute. I don't know
what I'm doing right now. uh
143-318.11A16
to prevent the disclosure of information
that is privileged or confidential
pursuant to the law of this state or of
the United States or not considered a
public record within the meaning of
chapter 132 of the general statutes and
to consider the qualifications,
competence, performance, character,
fitness of an individual public officer
employee.
>> Thank you. Is there any discussion? Not
» Thank you. Is there any discussion? Not
those in favor of entering close session
say I.
>> I post say no. Eyes have it. Motion
» I post say no. Eyes have it. Motion
carries and we will head into close
session.
Okay.
» [laughter]
>> Are you ready?
[laughter]
>> This isn't my deal.
» This isn't my deal.
They can always
they can always look at the uh
recording. Yes.
>> Later on.
» Later on.
>> All right. Is there a motion?
» All right. Is there a motion?
>> Madame Mayor, I move that city council
» Madame Mayor, I move that city council
accept the resignation of John Connet
and appoint Brian Polly as city manager.
Both to be effective October 1st, 2026,
and authorize the mayor to negotiate and
enter into an appointment agreement with
Mr. Py on behalf of city council.
>> Thank you. Is there any discussion?
Not those in favor of the accepting the
resignation and appoint the appointment
of the new city manager say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Those opposed say no. Eyes have it.
» Those opposed say no. Eyes have it.
Motion carries and uh October 1st we
will have a new city manager.
[applause]
And thank you to Mr. Connet.
Right. Okay. We are at the end of our
business
>> and we are adjourned.
» and we are adjourned.
Nine.