Costco Clears Asheville Council Unanimously Despite Tree, Traffic Objections

Asheville City Council handed Costco a unanimous green light Oct. 13 for a 168,258-square-foot store on a long-vacant Enka brownfield, accepting a reduced tree canopy standard over objections from the city's own Urban Forestry Commission. Council also accepted $6M to pilot a national homelessness prevention program, approved a 23-home affordable Habitat for Humanity neighborhood in Shiloh and split 6-1 on outsourced park maintenance.

• Costco approved 7-0 with 13% tree canopy instead of 15%, despite traffic concerns

• $6M Right at Home pilot accepted as HUD moves away from Housing First

• 23 Habitat homes in Shiloh, all affordable at or below 80% AMI, pass unanimously

• Park maintenance contracts pass 6-1 after Councilmember Bo Hess questions outsourcing costs

Costco Gets Its Green Light, Trees and All

Council unanimously approved an amended conditional zoning for 264 and 274 Enka Heritage Parkway and 1455 Sand Hill Road. The result clears the way for a Costco on a 25-acre site with 914 parking spaces, expandable to 950, and 32 fuel pumps.

Why it matters: The store is expected to bring 225 to 250 starting jobs to a long-vacant brownfield. It also marks the first time Council has approved a reduced tree canopy requirement of this kind.

Where things stand: Planner III Sam Starbaum outlined technical modifications on tree canopy (13% preserved versus the 15% standard), fenestration (window and door openings on the facade) and signage. Staff asked Council to allow sandwich board signs up to 72 by 48 inches, and that language was folded into the motion.

The applicant team cited jobs, benefits and a spring 2028 opening goal. "There are no tax incentives that go in here," said Derek Allen of Allen, Stahl, and Kilbourne, who presented alongside Costco project lead Renee Rutherford.

The other side: Urban Forestry Commission Chair Karen McNeil opposed reducing the fee-in-lieu requirement from 15% to 13%. She warned of precedent and argued the reduction is unfair to local businesses. Sharon Summerall, a former Urban Forestry Commission member, said about 35 trees were at stake and urged Council to keep the ordinance intact.

Traffic drew equal fire. Public commenter Craig Cobb said he supports a Costco in Asheville but not at this site. He cited a failing Sand Hill Road and Smokey Park Highway intersection and long queues. Kelly Eisenhower, a Candler resident, pointed to four nearby schools and raised soil safety concerns at the intermediate school.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Mayor Esther Manheimer cited the required traffic study and NCDOT improvements. She said the "project doesn't just go in without any changes to the exterior transportation infrastructure."

On precedent, city attorney Brad Branham said conditional zoning does not bind future councils. "I do not believe any deviation on this particular issue or really any similar issue would create any kind of a legal precedent which would force council's hand in the future," said Branham.

"I want a Costco here," said Councilmember Kim Roney, who moved approval while acknowledging the road concerns. Councilmember Bo Hess seconded. The vote was For: 7, Against: 0, Absent: 0.

Job seekers and the property owners gain from the vote. Tree advocates lose ground on a standard they consider foundational. Candler residents near Sand Hill Road will carry the traffic risk until road improvements arrive.

What's next: The traffic study and NCDOT-coordinated improvements now set the pace. Costco is aiming to open in spring 2028.

$6M Prevention Bet Meets a Federal Pivot

Council unanimously accepted $6M from Destination Home to launch Right at Home, a homelessness prevention pilot. Asheville is one of 10 cities in the national program. Councilmember Hess moved the resolution and associated budget amendment, and Councilmember Sage Turner seconded.

Why it matters: The pilot aims to serve 250 households in its first year, with services expected by January. Federal homelessness dollars, meanwhile, are moving in a different direction.

Where things stand: Emily Ball, Homeless Strategy Division Manager, reported a roughly $2.6M Continuum of Care application for FY26. A Continuum of Care is the federally funded regional homelessness system.

She also flagged a capacity squeeze. Salvation Army ends regular shelter operations Nov. 1. "That's 65 regular beds that we won't have available," said Ball. Code Purple cold-weather plans begin Nov. 1, with overflow sites capped at 20 beds.

"There's a policy shift at the federal level from HUD from a housing-first approach to a treatment-first approach," said Ball. Housing First places people in housing without preconditions such as treatment.

The other side: Council members pushed back on both the federal shift and local execution. "I'm just a little taken aback by ... everything we've been taught," said Councilmember Turner.

"Can you come back with a deep dive about what the shift means?" asked Councilmember Sheneika Smith. "This transition at the federal level does not allocate new dollars. It pulls dollars from existing projects at Homeward Bound and at Helpmate," Ball replied.

The pilot's providers are ABCCM, Homeward Bound, Operation Gateway and Pisgah Legal Services. "I do see one name on there that was problematic getting things out the door because they were short-staffed," said Councilmember Turner. Councilmember Roney also pressed on past delays in deploying eviction-prevention aid through partners. Ball pointed to fast-to-act requirements and contract language.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The vote was For: 7, Against: 0, Absent: 0. Renters at risk of eviction stand to gain new prevention resources. Homeward Bound and Helpmate face cuts to existing federally funded projects.

What's next: Services are expected to launch by January. Council requested a deep dive on the local impact of the HUD shift.

Shiloh Backs 23 Habitat Homes

Council unanimously approved a repeal and replacement of Conditional Zoning Ordinance 4612. The new zoning covers 99999 Tried Street and 990 West Chapel Road (RS-8 to RS-8 CZ) and allows 18 townhomes and five single-family homes by Habitat for Humanity.

Why it matters: "All units, 100% of them, will be designated affordable," said Starbaum. All 23 homes are deed-designated at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). The project aligns with the Shiloh Community Plan.

Where things stand: The plan includes technical modifications for zero side setbacks, a 3,742-square-foot minimum lot size and reduced lot widths. The Technical Review Committee and Planning and Zoning Commission both approved it unanimously.

Habitat CEO Andy Barnett said Habitat works with the housing authority's homeownership voucher program. He added that about 10% of its homes later add solar. Council members asked about connectivity, 5-foot sidewalks and renewable energy.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Neighbors showed up in support. Norma Baines, Shiloh Community Association liaison, said seniors may want to buy as they downsize. Public commenter Sophie Dixon said the community surveyed interest and people are lining up for the homes. The vote was For: 7, Against: 0, Absent: 0.

Park Contracts Pass, With Strings Attached

Council approved two Rivertop Contracting landscape maintenance contracts for riverfront and downtown parks, 6-1. Councilmember Hess cast the lone no vote. The contracts total $166,388 in year one and could approach $1M if all renewals are exercised.

Where things stand: "I pulled items D and E because I think we have a responsibility to question spending, explain our decisions, and also protect the financial stability of the city," said Councilmember Hess. He cited a Parks budget of about $13.8M and $5.8M in asset management funds. He also noted the staff report included no comparison of in-house versus contractor costs, and suggested redirecting money to priorities like Weaver Park.

Hess proposed a one-year approval without renewals. The mayor said the request for proposals (RFP) structure prevented changing terms. "They're 1-year contracts with an opportunity to be renewed without further council action for 4 more years after that," said Mayor Manheimer.

Peter Wall, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, said the downtown contract dates to Pack Square Park in 2009-2010. The riverfront contract began in 2021 and was disrupted after Helene, and three contracts have been consolidated into these two.

What's next: Council asked staff for a Parks funding deep dive and for notice from the manager before any renewal. Councilmember Turner requested that touchpoint ahead of the first renewal.

Minor Items

• Stormwater inventory: Stormwater Regulatory Manager Shannon Simpson detailed a $900,000 Phase 1 survey in Town Branch, funded by a $400,000 state grant and $500,000 in stormwater funds.

• HOME-ARP amendment: Council approved the plan unanimously after adding Hess' amendment requiring a public report on how nonprofit partners spend funds.

• Consent agenda: Council unanimously approved $265,000 for downtown business support and seasonal décor, plus $9.75M in Housing Authority bonds with no city obligation.

• Amboy Bridge safety: Public commenter Doug Curtis urged immediate interim safety fixes rather than waiting until spring, citing a runner fatality.

• License plate readers: Public commenter Rachel Cohen said the Q2 audit doesn't identify who ran over 2.7 million outside-agency searches.

Looking ahead: Salvation Army's regular shelter beds close and Code Purple begins Nov. 1. Bear baiting and bear-resistant containers, raised by public commenter Janice Rourdan, were referred to the Public Safety committee. Stormwater Phase 2 is planned for the FY28 budget.