Swannanoa Recovery Plan Heads Toward November Hearings as KOA Downzoning Advances
Planning Board • Buncombe CountyJuly 20, 2026
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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-resilience blueprint after Hurricane Helene. The plan's biggest money lever is entry into FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), which could cut flood insurance costs, but staff say it is the one action that needs new staff. Members also sent county commissioners a recommendation to rezone two KOA parcels near US 70 from commercial to residential.
- Swannanoa plan review: Members praised the post-Helene draft. Community exhibits are set for early August, with hearings tentatively set for Nov. 16–17.
- Flood insurance savings hinge on CRS entry. Staff call it a top priority but say it is the only five-year action requiring additional staff.
- Board members flagged gaps on impervious surfaces, tree canopy, river-corridor development and interim water monitoring.
- KOA rezoning of 6.77 acres recommended by voice vote. One member recused, and the request now heads to the Board of Commissioners.
1 big thing: The draft Swannanoa Small Area Plan now covers land use for about 40,000 acres. It grew into something bigger than planners first expected.
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