ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — More than 145 community members attended the Swannanoa Small Area & Resilience Plan Design Workshop at Owen Middle School on Dec. 3, Buncombe County officials said.
Residents participated in interactive exercises on topics including housing, hazards, transportation, economic development, recreation and the environment.
Officials said an additional in-person workshop will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at 216 Whitson Ave. in Swannanoa for those who were unable to attend the earlier session. A virtual option is also available through Dec. 25.
The Swannanoa Small Area Plan covers communities including Riceville, Lytle Cove, Oteen, Patton Cove, Buckeye Cove, Bee Tree and Lake Eden. County planning staff said the workshops are designed to gather public input on land use, development preferences, conservation, amenities, disaster risk tolerance and other priorities. This information will help guide a Future Land Use Vision Map for the area.
The plan stems from the Buncombe County 2043 Comprehensive Plan, adopted in 2023, which identified the Swannanoa corridor as an area in need of more detailed planning. Officials said the impacts of Hurricane Helene have made planning for the community’s future growth and recovery even more urgent.
A Small Area Plan identifies a neighborhood or geographic boundary and outlines strategies for addressing future changes while reflecting the community’s unique characteristics and needs.