May 19, 2022 – mountainx.com

Development glossary

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Daniel Walton

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

When lawyers, planners and elected officials get into the weeds of jargon and legal minutiae, it can seem like they’re no longer speaking English. Here’s a list of some of the most commonly encountered — and commonly confused — terms that come up in development discussions.

How to request development records

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Daniel Walton

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

Development projects leave obvious marks on the world around them. But every building that goes up in Western North Carolina also leaves a paper trail in local government archives that, as public property, residents have the legal right to inspect.

High-level land-use discussions shape neighborhood decisions

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Mark Barrett

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

Deciding what gets built on an empty lot down the street should, according to state law, begin with decisions about what gets built across an entire city or county. Counties and municipalities that want to have zoning in their jurisdiction first need to write a comprehensive plan that looks at big questions like which areas are best for growth.

‘Quasi-judicial’ procedures govern some development

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Mark Barrett

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

People who go to a meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment might not realize the bland room where the board gathers is a first cousin to a court of law. Learn more about how quasi-judicial bodies work to govern development in North Carolina.

Who handles development in municipalities beyond Asheville?

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Xpress Staff

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

While Asheville city and Buncombe County leaders govern the bulk of local development, other municipalities set zoning rules and approve projects within their own borders. Here’s the key information about when and where those decisions are made, as well as how you can weigh in.

Buncombe County development boards

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Xpress Staff

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

Buncombe County is a relative newcomer to land use regulation, and many outlying areas still remain under open use zoning. For parts of the county where development is more regulated, these three boards have the greatest say.

Buncombe County development process

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Xpress Staff

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

Learn more about the different types of development review in Buncombe County and the government boards responsible for each.

City of Asheville development boards

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Xpress Staff

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

Three governmental bodies are critical to the fate of large-scale development in the city: Asheville City Council, the Design Review Committee and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Find out more about what each group does and how to weigh in on its decisions.

City of Asheville development process

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Xpress Staff

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

Learn more about the different types of development projects in the city of Asheville and how local government reviews each of them.

How to keep abreast of proposed development projects

May 26, 2022May 19, 2022 by Daniel Walton

Mountain Xpress Development Guide

Both Asheville and Buncombe County offer a number of tools to help residents avoid getting caught off guard by development. The following resources give early notification of development proposals and provide more information about each project’s movement through the overall approval process.