Locunity/Buncombe County, NC·Planning Commission
Advises commissioners on zoning, subdivision rules and land use.
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Recent updates from Governing Board
Staff say an unclear downzoning provision in the Helene Recovery Bill is constraining how the county drafts new text amendments and the river corridor designation.
Why it matters: Legal uncertainty over the provision affects what land-use rules the county can adopt, and staff say communities have been sued or threatened with suits.
Staff said Emma is likely the next small area plan to request funding, and the tourism authority is already advancing Swannanoa wayfinding signs.
Why it matters: Prioritizing the next plan is up to management and commissioners, and Swannanoa's anti-displacement measures may ease growth pressure elsewhere.
Staff outlined stormwater, watershed, parking, road standards, lighting and manufactured home park text amendments coming to the board, with a consultant RFQ for the stormwater ordinance.
Why it matters: The board faces roughly six to seven months of text amendments, and the stormwater rewrite will take over a year with outside help.
Staff propose a new river corridor land use category for the 100- and 500-year floodplain, and are leaning toward an overlay rather than a zoning district.
Why it matters: The designation would steer floodplain land toward flood storage and low-intensity use, and could become a model for the rest of the county.
About 70% of the plan's actions would have countywide impact, and about 40% are near-term actions staff could begin within five years.
Why it matters: Changes to county ordinances would apply beyond Swannanoa, including proposals such as higher allowed density in R-1 zoning.
Staff said the Swannanoa plan drew over 1,800 community responses across six engagement phases, with residents asking for stronger disaster mitigation and regulatory change.
Why it matters: Staff say residents want regulatory change and mitigation, not only post-storm response, which shapes the plan's more than 100 actions.
With no quorum, the board held an informal review; a planning board hearing is set for November 16 and commissioners' hearing for November 17.
Why it matters: The plan's formal recommendation needs a quorum on November 16, one day before commissioners vote.
Planning staff flagged hourglass-marked actions they say they can realistically start and finish within five years using existing money and staff.
Why it matters: The action list shows residents which Swannanoa commitments are funded now and which depend on future grants or new staff.
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No Quorum, No Vote: Swannanoa Resilience Plan Heads to November Buncombe County's draft Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan would do more than guide one community's recovery from Helene. About 70% of its 100-plus a...
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Swannanoa Recovery Plan Heads Toward November Hearings as KOA Downzoning Advances Buncombe County's Planning Board spent the bulk of its July 20, 2026, meeting on a draft Swannanoa Small Area Plan that became a flood-re...
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