PROPERTY UPDATES
Update #9
Property Permitting
City of Asheville reviewing the latest submission of plans to issue a permit for the project. Anticipated approval in 2023-2024, and commencement of construction will occur shortly after.
Posted on October 1, 2023
Update #8
159 Riverside Drive on Asheville City Council Meeting Agenda – August 24
Approved with the Asheville City Council Meeting August 24th
The 159 Riverside Drive Project made its final stop in its conditional zoning process at the Asheville City Council meeting on August 24, 2021.
Posted on August 18, 2021
Update #7
Planning and Zoning Hearing – Approved
Project Approved by Planning & Zoning Commission
On July 7th the Asheville Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval of our conditional zoning request. The project will now advance to an Asheville City Council hearing in August. Council will have the final say on whether our conditional zoning request will be granted.
Our thanks go out to the City of Asheville Planning Department, the Planning and Zoning Commission and all the community members who have provided feedback. If you were unable to attend the July 7th hearing, you can read a recap in the Asheville Citizen-Times here.
Posted on July 9, 2021
Update #6
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Will Be in Person
Project Approved by Planning & Zoning Commission
Our project is on the agenda for tomorrow's Planning & Zoning Commission meeting. This will be the first in person meeting since the lifting of COVID restrictions and it will be held at 5:00PM at City Hall, First Floor North Conference Room.
If you’re not able to attend the meeting, there's still time to submit comment via email or voicemail until 5PM today, July 6th.
-
Prerecorded voicemail comments by calling 855-925-2801, enter code 9273 (available until 7/6/2021 @ 5:00 p.m.)
-
Written public comments – JULY7PZC@PublicInput.com – (available until 7/6/2021@ 5:00 p.m.).
We’ll also be posting a meeting recap so you don’t miss out on any new details. Thank you!
Posted on July 6, 2021
Update #5
Show Your Support!
Thanks for all the participation and input on shaping the plans for the proposed project at 159 and 144 Riverside Drive. We’d like to ask for your support to encourage the Planning and Zoning Commission to approve the project, which will be up for review at the July 7th meeting.
If you’re available to attend the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing, it will be held at 5 pm on July 7th to vote on the proposed project and there will be time for public comment. The hearings have all been virtual this year, but that is subject to change now that the majority of COVID restrictions have been lifted. We will keep you posted.
If you can’t make it, you can still send a letter of support. Letters/emails must be submitted by 5pm on July 6th. Thanks again for your participation!
Posted on June 21, 2021
Update #4
Project Passes Design Review!
Thank you to the Design Review Committee members who met virtually on June 3rd to review our project. The Committee was created to perform design review for all major works in the River District Design Review area, the Central Business District, and hotels outside of those areas.
Following presentations by Shannon Tuch, Principal Planner for the City of Asheville, and project architect Chris DeNome of The Beck Group, Committee members discussed aspects of the proposed design and whether it met River District Design guidelines as well as those of the Wilma Dykeman Riverway Master Plan.
We're pleased to let you know the Committee approved the project unanimously with the added conditions of including vegetation between the sidewalk and the proposed parking lot at 144 Riverside, reworking the building’s open pass-through sections, and agreeing not to add any kind of artwork or district locational signage to the smokestack.
The next step for the project is the Planning and Zoning Commission on July 7. In the meantime, we are still seeking community input on a variety of items, including how to best utilize the old cotton mill building and smokestack.
There is also now signage (pictured) on both sites offering pedestrians an opportunity to comment via text message.
We are excited that we've received so much input on this project. The plans continue to evolve and we hope it will eventually become an integral part of the RAD.
Posted on June 7, 2021
Update #3
WE HAVE NEW RENDERINGS!
Thank you all for the insightful input and ideas you’ve shared with us so far. We had a design review meeting with stakeholders from the RAD and city employees last week and are excited to share with you the latest architectural renderings we prepared for that review.
The next step will be submitting our application to Planning & Zoning, which, if all goes as scheduled, will be by the end of next week (5/28).
Your participation during this process has been more than helpful. Please continue to share your feedback and questions in the Feedback section https://courbanize.com/projects/159riversidedr/comments?ordering=-created
Thanks!
Posted on May 21, 2021
Update #2
Thanks for your input, Asheville!
We are so appreciative for all the feedback we’ve received regarding the proposed development at 159 Riverside Drive and we want you to know we are listening! From the comments on the website and our ongoing community outreach we know green building features, open space, artist studios, outdoor sculptures, local retailers, and affordable housing are some of the key things important to the community.
Our team is hard at work collecting all your input and determining what we can incorporate as we continue to hammer out the plans and move forward. Please keep your ideas coming and share the website with others who might be interested.
Our first meeting with the Technical Review Committee (TRC) is scheduled for later this month. We anticipate having more updates for you following that meeting.
We look forward to sharing the latest news with you soon and thanks again.
Posted on April 6, 2021
Update #1
Welcome to the 159 Riverside Drive outreach site!
Thanks for visiting our new website! The purpose of this platform is to provide you with information on the 159 Riverside Drive development and to collect all your feedback.
Please make yourself at home! Poke around to see what your neighbors are discussing and be sure to comment with your own ideas. Also hit that ‘Subscribe’ button to stay in-the-loop on all project updates.
Everything posted here is sent straight to us at the project team. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Posted on March 1, 2021
