Locunity/Asheville, NC·Other
Advises on walking, cycling, transit and streets.
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Recent updates from Governing Board
Asked about lowering speed limits, the city traffic engineer said a 20 mph residential default would instantly qualify hundreds of streets for traffic calming.
Why it matters: Speed-limit policy directly determines how many streets qualify for calming, and staff say a citywide default limit is under active discussion.
Staff are about 30% through rewriting the 11-page traffic calming policy, considering a hybrid process and expanding tools beyond speed humps and cushions.
Why it matters: Residents call the current petition process confusing and its 60% approval threshold a barrier; the rewrite goes to Council's PDE committee this fall and could change which streets get calmed.
Members said on-demand scheduling leaves the commission out of the loop, citing Council's Lenny's Law bicycle safety resolution passed without their input.
Why it matters: Advisory boards meet only on demand through June 2027, which limits the commission's ability to weigh in as the transit and safety plans evolve.
Members said Asheville's flat transit budget limits the redesign and urged Council to pursue new revenue, including a possible sales tax or TIF.
Why it matters: The redesign is cost-neutral on a roughly $15-16 million budget; without new money, the doubling of service promised in the 2018 plan remains stalled.
Commissioners questioned coverage losses at MAHEC, the Social Security office, Grove Park Inn and the outlet mall, and pressed for on-demand or employer shuttle alternatives.
Why it matters: These cuts fall on medical, federal-benefit and hospitality workers' destinations; the commission's final recommendation asks Council to pursue non-fixed-route service to fill such gaps.
Staff said a new operations contract starting July 1 raises the on-time target from 66% to 80% and adds liquidated damages for early departures.
Why it matters: Early buses on infrequent routes can strand riders for up to 90 minutes, and staff admitted they lacked current early-departure data.
The MMTC backed the draft ART network, which shifts service to 60% ridership and 40% coverage and adds 15-minute routes and a timed downtown pulse.
Why it matters: The redesign is a once-a-decade reset of Asheville's bus system that would take effect no earlier than July 2027 and reshape which neighborhoods get frequent service.
A resident urged the commission to support low-cost temporary crosswalks on Broadway at Starnes, citing danger to pedestrians and requests from nearby businesses.
Why it matters: The request highlights a pedestrian safety gap near Montford that the speaker said could be fixed cheaply.
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