Weaverville Council Steers Northridge Greenway Toward Mixed-Surface Options
Town Council • WeavervilleOctober 27, 2026
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Weaverville's Town Council spent more time on a single walking and biking connection than on anything else Oct. 27. The question was whether a 10-foot paved greenway can still fit through DR Horton's Northridge Farms project, and whether the town should take over the developer's roads to help get it built. No vote was taken, but council reached consensus to keep working on Options C and D. Members also informally agreed to stop buying town fireworks and sent a workplace-romance policy back for revisions.
- Northridge Farms greenway: Council favors Options C and D after the developer says the 10-foot paved Option B won't work under the stormwater permit
- Town fireworks likely ending: Informal consensus not to buy fireworks for July 4, 2027, as Buncombe County plans a show at North Buncombe High School
- Personnel policy stalls: Several members pushed back on consensual romantic relationship rules, and HR will soften them
- State law ends parking mandates: Off-street parking requirements become unenforceable Jan. 1, the planning director said
Northridge Greenway: Stormwater Sets the Limits
Why it matters: The decision will shape a key east-west walking and biking connection. It will also determine whether the town accepts private developer roads and their long-term costs.
Where things stand: Andrew Basile, representing DR Horton, told council the project's stormwater permit was just issued after two years. The approved design caps impervious surface, which is pavement that doesn't absorb rain. That rules out Option B, a 10-foot paved path, unless the project is redesigned.
"We're restricted with what we can do based on the stormwater design that was approved," said Basile. Permeable surfaces don't count against Buncombe County's stormwater calculations, he said, which is why the mixed-surface options remain on the table. He said the apartment site is expected in June 2027.
Basile was blunt about the money. "They have no money for any changes here," he said.
The other side: Rachel Bronson, speaking for the Active Weaverville Committee, argued that Option B is the only proposal that delivers a consistent 10-foot-wide paved facility. She warned that the surface transitions in Option C create seam hazards and that Option D carries maintenance costs. "I want to keep the spotlight on B and try to find the solution to get us there," said Bronson. A written comment from resident Brent Koenig also backed a 10-foot concrete greenway.
Roads as a bargaining chip: Council members debated whether the town should accept the development's roads. Concerns included town-owned roads that lead nowhere, affordability and walkability. Staff noted that a road takeover could serve as a negotiating point, potentially in exchange for sidewalk concessions from the developer.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: There was no vote. Staff summarized the consensus as continuing to study Options C and D with the developer. Bike and pedestrian advocates lose their preferred design for now, but they keep a seat in talks. The developer avoids a costly redesign. Taxpayers could inherit road maintenance if a takeover deal moves forward.
What's next: Staff and DR Horton will continue negotiating Options C and D before the item returns to council.
Fireworks Out, Festival In?
Why it matters: Dropping the town show would end a decades-old tradition. It would also cut costs and reduce fire and traffic burdens on staff.
Where things stand: Staff said Buncombe County will repeat its fireworks show at North Buncombe High School. Staff asked whether the town should combine efforts with the county and how to scale the downtown street festival.
Council members raised a list of concerns:
- Safety during Main Street closures
- Including a police representative on risk mitigation
- Wear on the nature park and accessibility (ADA) concerns
- Traffic around Lake Louise
- Fire damage to a school roof during a past event
Koenig's written comment asked council to weigh materials and student health.
Public voice: Public commenter Jeff McKenna said competing shows make little sense when taxpayers already fund the county's. "As long as the county's doing it right up the road, I think it makes sense to back away from doing it here," said McKenna. He urged council to keep and tweak the festival.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: There was no vote, but council reached informal consensus not to buy fireworks. Downtown businesses and festivalgoers still have a stake in how the street festival is designed. Members said they expect public pushback.
What's next: Council discussed holding a public input session on the festival's footprint.
Workplace Romance Rules Hit Resistance
Why it matters: The policy would govern how relatives and romantic partners supervise one another across the town workforce.
Where things stand: Council agreed at the start of the meeting to discuss the amendments but not act on them, after a member asked to pull the item for more research. HR Director Wright said the policy reflects common North Carolina municipal practice and was reviewed by counsel. "My recommendation is that you adopt these revisions," said Wright.
The other side: Some members called the consensual romantic relationship provisions government intrusion. "I just don't think that this is appropriate for the town of Weaverville," said one council member. Others cited litigation risk and called the policy standard. "I think the town should have something like this, and I'm fully supportive and appreciate the work," said one supporter. A council member noted that the amendments keep the existing employment-of-relatives provisions and fix a typo.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: There was no vote. Staff will treat the relatives section as acceptable and soften the relationship section. Town employees face no new rules yet.
What's next: The item will return at a future meeting with the revised language and a change to the resignation notice requirement.
State Law Rewrites Local Parking Rules
Why it matters: The town must rewrite its rules on parking, home businesses and development fees. On parking, it has no local choice.
Where things stand: Planning Director Eller reviewed recent Planning Board and Board of Adjustment activity. She then walked through new session laws, including Session Laws 2026-51 and 2026-59. "On January 1st, you can no longer have parking requirements," said Eller.
The laws also allow no-impact home-based businesses and require the town to provide development fee estimates. Members discussed effects on driveway and street parking, along with an exception for homeowners associations. When a member raised the law's restrictions on downzoning, Eller agreed it is overbroad.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Developers gain flexibility and fee transparency. Neighborhoods may see more on-street parking pressure. Planning staff carry the code rewrite.
What's next: Staff signaled that more text amendments are coming.
Minor Items
- Tailgate Market deferred: The three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) renewal moved to the next meeting by voice vote, amid questions about the market's presence at the Community Center.
- Consent agenda approved by voice vote: Items include state-funded $1,750 payments per eligible police officer, a fire department donation, mediation for construction disputes over $15,000, and a Pleasant Grove Road waterline with a $10,000 repair guaranty.
- Finances: Finance Director Dozier said sales tax is running above budget and the audit should reach the Local Government Commission (LGC) by the end of next week. The resiliency project needs a budget amendment.
- Community Center: Rentals reached $19,955, or 44% of the $45,000 annual goal, with the holiday parade and Winter Wonderland ahead.
- Manager's report: Staff announced a countywide food drive, a Nov. 11 Veterans Day event and new Fire Chief John Coffey. A council member asked staff to connect DOT and AdventHealth on pedestrian access to the hospital.
Looking Ahead
Council members reported that AdventHealth's foundation is laid and steel deliveries are coming, with DOT interchange work expected to start around January. Audit findings are slated for presentation in November.