| Zoning can be a confusing issue regardless of | | | | they have on existing neighborhoods and |
| where you own real estate, whether it's a large | | | | residents. |
| city like Charlotte (NC), a small city like Asheville | | | | How Does Zoning Affect Buyers and Sellers of |
| (NC) or a rural area like Buncombe County | | | | Mountain Homes and Land Near Asheville, North |
| Western North Carolina. Zoning is a tool used to | | | | Carolina? |
| designate individual areas of land for specific | | | | The comprehensive zoning throughout Buncombe |
| purposes. When used correctly zoning can help | | | | County and Asheville, NC also changed in 2007. |
| fast developing cities and counties create a smart | | | | Comprehensive zoning differs from Open Use |
| growth plan. This is one of the reasons Buncombe | | | | because it separates residential and commercial |
| County commissioners are implementing new | | | | areas into designations like R-1 and R-2 residential |
| zoning in the metropolitan region surrounding | | | | districts, employment districts, and neighborhood |
| Asheville, North Carolina. | | | | and commercial service districts. Buncombe |
| The new zoning, adopted in May of 2007, impacts | | | | County and Asheville homebuyers and sellers can |
| property owners throughout Buncombe County, | | | | find their property's zoning designation using the |
| as well as future homebuyers, sellers and real | | | | county's online GIS system. The system can be |
| estate investors. A clear understanding of the | | | | found at [ |
| zoning ordinances and restrictions is essential if | | | | Property owners and real estate investors |
| you are going own real estate. It affects the | | | | interested in changing the zoning designation of |
| value of your home and the choices you can | | | | specific land can approach the Buncombe County |
| make when selling or building on your property. | | | | Commissioners and Board of Adjustment. Public |
| This applies to residential real estate as well as | | | | hearings are required if an Application for |
| commercial property owners. | | | | Variances or Conditional Use Permits or an |
| Zoning Rules for Real Estate in Asheville, NC: The | | | | Application to Amend the Buncombe County |
| Importance of Community Accountability | | | | Zoning Ordinance Text or Maps are submitted. In |
| In a video entitled "Will Zoning Affect You?" on | | | | order to obtain a building permit for any zoning |
| the Buncombe County web site, [ Assistant | | | | district other than Open Use real estate investors |
| County Manager Jon Creighton explains the | | | | and property owners must file for Certificate of |
| county's motivation for implementing new zoning | | | | Zoning Compliance. The cost associated with |
| in the spring of 2007 and describes the proposed | | | | these applications varies. |
| zoning changes. He also confirms that concerns | | | | Size Does Count! Downtown Zoning in Question |
| about the increasing number of county residents, | | | | on Merrimon Avenue |
| real estate developers and homes being built on | | | | The most recent zoning debate taking place in |
| the tops and sides of mountains have compelled | | | | Buncombe County is actually happening in |
| Buncombe County and city of Asheville officials to | | | | downtown Asheville, NC. In an article written by |
| make zoning a priority. | | | | Mark Barrett in the January 15, 2008 issue of the |
| Creighton begins by defining an Open Use zoning | | | | Asheville Citizen Times the Asheville City Council |
| designation. Open Use, or OU, is zoning usually | | | | will explore two major zoning matters in 2008. |
| found in rural areas. Land considered available for | | | | First, the developers of the Horizons Project, |
| Open Use means property can be purchased and | | | | which would erect nine buildings including two |
| sold for a wide variety of residential and | | | | 10-story towers, have asked to postpone a public |
| commercial purposes with the exception of | | | | hearing until July in order to evaluate neighborhood |
| certain restricted uses. The uses restricted on | | | | opposition and economic conditions. |
| Open Use land include incinerators, concrete plants, | | | | Barrett also writes that the Asheville City "council |
| landfills, asphalt plants, chip mills, mining operations | | | | is scheduled to hear from city staff on zoning |
| and motor sports facilities. | | | | proposals for the 2.4-mile stretch of Merrimon |
| According to Creighton these types of businesses | | | | between Interstate 240 and North Asheville |
| have a large impact on the community, as a | | | | Library near Beaver Lake." "The city had |
| whole, so any real estate investor or property | | | | considered creating a new zoning district for much |
| owner interested in these ventures must present | | | | of the property along the street that would |
| a project proposal at a public hearing. This allows | | | | encourage taller buildings closer to the street," |
| other property and homeowners in the Asheville | | | | Barrett continues, "but several property owners |
| area to hold Western North Carolina business and | | | | and some residents objected. |
| real estate developers accountable for the impact | | | | |