From Staff Reports

Asheville City Council voted unanimously Sept. 18 to delay any decision on proposed changes to construction requirements on Merrimon Avenue, after business owners complained that the proposal would hurt them financially and be too restrictive.

Furthermore, business owners said the process of developing the rules had failed to include their concerns.

Councilman Bryan Freeborn agreed, calling the process ìsystematically flawed.î

Meanwhile, Councilman Brownie Newman said that one of the proposalís requirements ó that all new buildings be at least two stories ó was unpopular both with residents and business owners.

Planning staff recommended that council delay action on the proposal for 90-120 days.

The plans had been developed by a group of residents, business owners and property owners over the past two years.
However, other Merrimon businesses, including Ingles Supermarkets, had recently raised objections to the proposed limitations.

Council will readdress the proposed rules at its Jan 15. meeting.

In other action, council:

ï Created a new position of business manager for parks and recreation.

The new position will cost the city $66,000 a year in salary and benefits.

But Department Director Roderick Simmons said the new manager will help prevent problems such as the $300,000 shortfall that the city experienced when a donor pulled out of an agreement to provide artificial turf for Memorial Stadium.

ï Voted unanimously to extend fiber-optic connections for public-safety communications.

The work by Charter Communications will cost $141,235, which will be reimbursed by Buncombe County, according to City Manager Gary Jackson.