Board of Commissioners Recap: Sept. 15, 2026
At its Sept. 15 regular meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners recognized several community and professional observances, received an update on housing and disaster recovery funding, approved a contract for the Deaverview Mountain Master Plan, and approved funding for several conservation easement projects.
The Board issued proclamations to honor the 50th Anniversary of First Step Farm of WNC, proclaimed October 2026 as National Manufacturing Month in Buncombe County, and celebrated Hispanic and Latino history and culture by recognizing September 15 through October 15, 2026 as National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month in Buncombe County. The Board also honored 75 years of the Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District for its years of service to the community and proclaimed September 26, 2026 as Human Resources Professionals Day in Buncombe County.
Read the full proclamations:
In recognition of the two-year mark of Tropical Storm Helene, County Manager Pinder shared a video update on the Helene recovery progress, highlighting key recovery projects and partnerships that demonstrate the strength and grit of our community and the intentional journey of recovery in Buncombe County. View the video here.
Housing and Disaster Recovery Funding Update
Buncombe County Community Development provided an update on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for affordable housing projects in the county.
The Crescent Place Apartments project in Arden received a $1.36 million 9% LIHTC award and $1.73 million in CDBG-DR funding, supporting 60 new affordable housing units.
The update also focused on 50 and 52 Coxe Avenue, a 203-unit affordable housing project to be developed under an agreement with developer, Harmony Housing. The project has not yet received LIHTC or CDBG-DR funding and currently faces a $15 million funding gap with the lack of a CDBG-DR award. Buncombe County and Harmony Housing are working together to identify any additional CDBG-DR opportunities and alternative funding sources, as well as potential project changes to address the current gap and are preparing to apply for LIHTC again in an upcoming round.
View the full update here.
Deaverview Mountain Master Plan
Buncombe County completed the acquisition of 342+ acres at Deaverview Mountain on March 19, 2026 using 100% grant funding from the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy via the North Carolina Land and Water Fund and the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) Program grant awarded to Buncombe County.
Following a competitive procurement process, the Board approved a $1.39 million contract with Equinox Environmental to develop the property’s master plan and engineering designs. The two-phase project will include community outreach, environmental and trail assessments, future funding recommendations, and planning for access, parking, trails, restrooms and viewsheds. A future third phase is anticipated for construction of trails, access improvements and viewshed amenities.
View the presentation here.
Conservation Easement Funding
The Board approved funding for several conservation easement projects recommended by the Land Conservation Advisory Board and Agricultural Advisory Board. All projects are within designated Buncombe County Conservation Focus Areas.
These projects help protect open space, farmland, natural resources and scenic landscapes from future development, while allowing many properties to remain privately owned and, where applicable, actively farmed.
The funding includes $351,500 for the 80-acre Camp Sequoyah Conservation Easement Expansion in Weaverville, as well as $235,800 in transaction costs for four farmland preservation projects in the Leicester/Sandy Mush area totaling more than 170 acres.
The Board also approved $27,000 in supplemental funding for three existing easement projects to address updated property surveys, environmental assessments and additional grant requirements.
Buncombe County also plans to seek an additional $2 million Agricultural Growth Zone grant from North Carolina Department of Agriculture, which would require a $2 million match from the Open Space Bond Fund.
View the presentation here.
A recording of the meeting is available on the Buncombe County Government Facebook page. The next regular Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting will be held on October 6, 2026.
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