After much controversy, the Buncombe County Commissioners will appoint five new members to the powerful county planning board at their meeting Tuesday, Oct. 7, according to the agenda.
Citizens have criticized the commissioners on a number of issues, including keeping planning board members on past their original terms without formal reappointment and disqualifying board candidates based on an unwritten rule. Critics have also said that the board is too heavily tilted towards development interests.
While the board has nine members, four of those seats are re-appointments, leaving five open seats. Four candidates each are vying to represent the Owen, Erwin and city of Asheville school districts on the board, while two candidates each are up for the Enka and Roberson districts.
Also on the agenda: The commissioners will consider a financial plan to borrow $37 million, mostly to finance the construction of the planned Human Services facility and new parking deck on Coxe Avenue.
The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in room 204 of the Buncombe County Courthouse. A pre-meeting, including public comment, begins at 4 p.m.
— David Forbes, staff writer
