Swannanoa Small Area Plan Steering Committee Work Session

The Buncombe County Government held a Swannanoa Small Area Plan Steering Committee Work Session on June 16, 2026, focusing extensively on recovery and redevelopment efforts following disaster impacts. Key procurement-related discussions included updates on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which is funding voluntary property acquisitions and demolitions in the Swannanoa area with approximately $19 million allocated for initial buyouts and an additional $und00 million for subsequent groups of properties. The county is coordinating with state contractors for project management, appraisals, and demolition services, with no local costs incurred. The meeting also covered multiple grant-funded infrastructure and revitalization projects, including a nearly $1 million sidewalk project in Beacon Village and a $10 million commercial district remediation and revitalization effort leveraging Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds. The committee discussed policy actions related to zoning overlays, stormwater management, affordable housing programs, and pedestrian infrastructure, with emphasis on balancing development costs and resilience. Several motions were made to adjust policy language and prioritize certain infrastructure projects, including traffic calming and sidewalk construction. The meeting concluded with plans for upcoming public engagement phases and draft plan reviews. Overall, the session highlighted significant procurement activity involving federal and state grant funding, contract management for property acquisitions and demolitions, and capital improvement projects aimed at community recovery and resilience.