From Staff Reports

Asheville City Council gave the go-ahead for a proposed 15-story condominium development on Coxe Avenue that city officials say will provide affordable housing downtown while implementing several environmental features.

Council voted unanimously Aug. 28 to approve Zona Lofts, which is planned for the corner of Coxe, Collier and Banks avenues on the south side of downtown.

Among the energy-saving features developers say they plan to implement are low-flow toilets that use rainwater collected from the buildingís roof, solar panels and an electricity-generating wind turbine.

The condos will be sold for between $122,000 and $242,000, which developers said will be affordable for professionals and some service-industry workers.

Though some residents had voiced concerns about the proposed buildingís height, architect Bae-Won Koh noted that the site is 140 feet lower in elevation than the center of downtown because Coxe Avenue is on a downhill slope.

Councilman Carl Mumpower said that by building higher, the city can fight sprawl.

Koh said the building could not be made smaller without eliminating parking planned for the buildingís bottom floor.
He added that the plans include fewer parking spots than condominiums.

Councilman Bryan Freeborn commended the minimal number of parking spots, saying that this might hopefully encourage residents to walk, bicycle or use public transportation.