ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County commissioners will take up several issues Tuesday that could affect how disaster-recovery money is spent, what can be built along U.S. 70 and the future of recreation facilities at the Buncombe County Sports Park.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet at 5 p.m. Aug. 18, with public hearings and new business items ranging from federal disaster-recovery funding to economic development incentives and a proposed rezoning involving Kampgrounds of America.
Here are some of the issues residents may want to watch:
Helene recovery money
Commissioners will hold the first of two required public hearings on the county’s application process for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding for community infrastructure.
The hearing is being held as part of the county’s Citizen Participation Plan for the CDBG-DR Community Infrastructure application process. The board’s action Tuesday is to hold the public hearing.
The agenda documents provided for the meeting do not specify which individual infrastructure projects the county ultimately plans to seek funding for, making the public hearing an important opportunity to learn more about the proposals and hear public input.
KOA seeks residential zoning along U.S. 70
Commissioners also will hold a public hearing on a rezoning request from Kampgrounds of America Inc. involving two parcels at 517 Lazy Bear Blvd. and an unaddressed parcel along U.S. 70.
KOA is asking the county to change the zoning on the combined 6.77 acres from CS Commercial to R-3 Residential. County planning staff and the Planning Board both recommend approval, saying the request is consistent with the county’s 2043 Comprehensive Plan.
The change would not increase the maximum residential density, which is 12 dwelling units per acre under both the existing and proposed zoning. But it would change the types of development allowed on the property.
Under R-3 zoning, manufactured homes and manufactured home parks, as well as travel trailers and travel trailer parks, could be allowed. Some commercial uses currently permitted under CS zoning — including retail, nightclubs, restaurants, storage and warehousing, manufacturing and processing, and hotels and motels — would no longer be permitted.
The proposed zoning also would reduce the maximum building height from 50 feet to 35 feet.
One parcel is located within the regulated 100-year floodplain, according to the staff report. The report also says the properties are in an area identified as an “impact opportunity area” based on the Buncombe Community Index Map.
The staff report notes that the census tract ranks 134th out of 153 on the Community Index, with 35 percent of the population below the poverty line, 9.45 percent experiencing food insecurity and 38.5 percent without a high school diploma. The report also says 49.5 percent of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino and 22.05 percent speaks Spanish at home.
The board can approve the rezoning, approve part of the request or deny it.
$31.3 million Southeastern Container expansion
Commissioners will hold a public hearing on an economic development agreement with Southeastern Container for an expansion at the company’s existing Enka facility.
The manufacturer plans to invest $31.3 million in capital expenditures and create 12 full-time jobs with an average wage of $32.90 per hour, according to county documents.
The county would provide up to $85,000 in incentives. That includes $5,000 to serve as the local match for a $100,000 state Building Reuse grant and an $80,000 one-time county incentive tied to capital investment and job-creation targets. In total, the project could receive up to $185,000 in combined state and county incentives.
A portion of the grant may be earned only if Southeastern Container demonstrates that it can hire employees from workforce development programs, according to the county.
Commissioners also will consider three budget amendments related to the project. The county documents say $50,000 would come from unused incentive dollars and $35,000 would come from fund balance.
$1.6 million design contract for indoor recreation center
Commissioners are being asked to approve a $1.599 million contract with Method Studio to design an indoor recreation center at the Buncombe County Sports Park.
The project was approved as part of the county’s fiscal 2027 Capital Improvement Plan. The design contract will cover space programming, schematic design, design development, construction documents, cost estimating, bidding and construction administration.
The county received 10 responses to its request for qualifications. Method Studio received the highest score from a committee of Parks and Recreation and General Services staff and was selected following negotiations. The county says the contract is within the project’s existing budget and does not require new funding.
Commissioners to consider support for bicycle safety legislation
Commissioner Drew Ball is sponsoring a resolution supporting the Leonard Antonelli and Jacob Hill Bicycle Safety Zone Act of 2025, known as Lennie’s Law.
The legislation was created after a 2025 crash that killed two cyclists and injured another. The county resolution calls for bicycle safety zones, traffic-calming measures and cooperation with NCDOT, the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and local municipalities to improve safety along N.C. 251 and other key corridors.
Fireworks approvals
Commissioners also are being asked to approve pyrotechnics experts for three scheduled fireworks displays.
The applications are for Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 and The Biltmore Estate in Asheville on Oct. 24. The county fire marshal reviewed the applications and determined they meet state standards, with proof of insurance provided.
The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 18, with the public hearings providing residents an opportunity to comment on the issues before commissioners.
For residents looking for the biggest potential impacts, the Helene recovery funding process, KOA rezoning and Southeastern Container incentives are likely to draw the most attention because they involve disaster-recovery spending, future land use and county economic-development dollars.