Special Called Meeting: Town Council Strategic Planning Retreat

2024 Weaverville Town Council Strategic Planning Retreat February 24, 2024 at 9:00 AM Location: Town Hall, 30 S. Main Street, Weaverville, NC 287 Facilitated by Erica Anderson, Land of Sky Regional Council 9:00 AM Welcome/Agenda Overview (Mayor) 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Strategic Plan Report Out & Updates 1. Introduce Items from last Strategic Plan and Progress Made (Selena) PG. 2 2. Overview of Growth Areas – Highlighting Work Already Completed; Comp Plan Adoption Highlighting Map (James) PG 8 9:45 AM – 11:45 AM Discussion of Town Focus Areas (Erica) 1. Introduction of Current Challenges/Opportunities for the Town 2. Discuss Focus Areas Identified on Worksheet Before Meeting (Mayor/Town Council) 3. Activity Selecting Top Focus Areas for the Town a. Use dots (green/yellow/red) to select ranked priorities b. Focus on where there are shared priorities 4. Discussion of What Success Would Look Like to Council for Top 3 Focus Areas a. What each item means/entails Action Items – Staff Direction for FY 2024-2025 11:45 AM – 12:15 PM Lunch 12:15 PM - Until Next Steps and Adjournment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ATTACHMENTS: 1) 2018 – 2021 Strategic Plan Final Report, PGS. 2-7 2) Growth Areas Resolution and Map, PGS. 8-12 3) Mayor Fitzsimmon’s Tally of Town Council Worksheet Responses, PG. 13 4) Individual Town Council Worksheet Responses, PGS. 14-26 1  2018-2021 Strategic Plan Final Report ATTACHMENT 1 Goal 1: To provide town services to meet the needs of the community. Objectives (followed by Action Steps) Status A. Develop consensus on water and annexation • Town Council reached consensus on 11/13/18 and 1/8/19 to make decisions on a case by growth and develop policies consistent with that case basis as opposed to adopting a firm policy in this regard. consensus. 1) Develop policy or procedures to guide Town • See above. Council in approving water allocations outside of Town limits. 2) Consider the development of a formal • See above. voluntary annexation program. B. Reexamine Asheville Redefines Transit to consider • Town Manager has met with Asheville City Manager and Buncombe County re-establishment of bus route given new Transportation Planners regarding the possibility of adding Weaverville to their routes. residential development within the Town. Unfortunately, continued conversations in this regard have been prevented due the COVID-19 crisis. C. Enhance the Town’s outreach to educate the • Staff implemented an overhaul of the Town’s website in 2019 and then again in 2023. public about the Town’s services. • The Town’s e-Focus, which is distributed monthly and on special occasions, currently has 996 subscribers and staff continues to make efforts to increase subscribers. • Town staff updates Facebook and Instagram on a regular basis. • Staff implemented CODERed in 2023 for emergency notifications. 1) Continue the Citizens Academy. • Town staff has continued the Citizens Academy annually since 2016 except for calendar years 2019-2020, when only one Academy was held due to the pandemic. • From 2016-2023, 133 graduated from the Academy, not including the 2024 class, which is currently underway. 2) Continue fire prevention programs and • Weaverville Fire Department regularly participates in school functions upon request. participation in school events such as field days and career days. 1 2  2018-2021 Strategic Plan Final Report 3) Continue community-oriented policing • Weaverville Police Department, upon hiring the new School Resource Officers, has been programs, Cops for Kids, school programs, significantly more involved in school programs. crime prevention program, etc. 4) Continue public education regarding services • The Town’s Public Works Department provides a public service announcement or article provided by the Public Works Department. promoting their services for each month’s e-newsletter. D. Recognize the needs of each Town department in • Addressed with adoption of budgets; Ongoing. serving an ever-changing and growing population. 1) Budget adequately to meet service demands • Addressed with adoption of budgets; Ongoing. (i.e. personnel, equipment, etc.) 2) Maintain and update the capital • Addressed with adoption of budgets; Ongoing. improvements plan. 3) Maintain Town facilities and equipment. • Addressed with adoption of budgets; Ongoing Goal 2: To improve regional collaboration. Objectives (followed by Action Steps) Status A. Strengthen relationship with the Asheville- • Town Manager continues meeting with Economic Development Coalition (EDC) Director Buncombe Economic Development Coalition as needs arise. and other economic development • Town Manager participated in EDC’s upcoming site analysis study in 2020-2021 task organizations. force, although no sites were identified within Weaverville’s corporate limits. B. Recognize water as a regional resource and • Objectives accomplished with the adoption of June 2022 resolution to collaborate with identify regional jurisdictions that wish to neighboring jurisdictions on mutual provision of emergency water. partner in water production, sale and distribution. C. Consistent involvement and collaboration with • Town Manager meets monthly with managers from Buncombe County, City of Asheville, neighboring and regional jurisdictions in and Towns of Woodfin, Black Mountain, and Biltmore Forest. functional areas, such as police, fire, water • Town Manager maintains regular open lines of communication with managers of Mars Hill resources, etc. and Marshall. 2 3  2018-2021 Strategic Plan Final Report 1) Updates from department heads • Department heads continue to provide quarterly reports during Town Council meetings quarterly regarding regional efforts addressing regional efforts or collaborations with neighboring jurisdictions. impacting the Town. 2) Updates from the manager subsequent to • Town Manager updates Town Council on issues involving neighboring jurisdictions as manager meetings regarding regional needed and via the Town Manager’s monthly reports. efforts with potential impacts on the Town. 3) Updates from the Mayor regarding • Updates provided as appropriate. regional efforts. D. Distribute information regarding regional • Ongoing activities and services included within the Town’s outreach activities. programs, services and resources available to Town citizens. Goal 3: To maximize benefit to the Town in land use planning efforts. Objectives (followed by Action Steps) Status A. Development of tools to encourage • Staff presented information on this topic on 11/13/18 and 1/8/19. This was a high priority balanced residential economic coming out of Town Council’s Land Use Workshop on 5/14/22 development. • Town Council dropped this as a priority within the CLUP in 11/23. 1) Revise Subdivision Ordinance to establish • Implemented in July, 2021 criteria and streamline subdivision approval process. 2) Update economic development goals for • Shown as a #1 priority on the Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Responsible party shown as the Town. Town Council working in conjunction with WEDAC. B. Update the Town’s Comprehensive Land • Town Council initially adopted the CLUP in 2019 and annual updates last occurring in Use Plan (CLUP). November, 2023 . 1) Determine whether plan will be • Completed in August, 2019. updated internally or externally. 3 4  2018-2021 Strategic Plan Final Report 2) Complete update of the plan. • Town Council adoption achieved. 3) Implement plan. • Staff continues to work toward the stated goals of the CLUP based upon priority grades given in conjunction with the Planning and Zoning Board. C. Investigate options for a geographic information • Staff has implemented GIS software for municipal usage. Zoning, ADA, and Stormwater system. layers are in place while work on mapping the water system is approximately 50% complete 1) Coordinate with Buncombe County to add • Staff has provided the town’s zoning layer to Buncombe County GIS. the Town layer to County GIS. 2) Assess previous mapping efforts, software • Previous mapping effort were found inadequate and a new software license with ARCGIS and equipment. has been established. A new handheld GIS unit has been purchased. Goal 4: To promote a successful downtown. Objectives (followed by Action Steps) Responsibility Timeframe Status A. Consider a zoning district to serve as a • Staff work complete with ordinance adopted to allow for mixed used development within transition between residential and certain zoning districts on May 20, 2020. commercial districts. B. Develop a mechanism to expand business • Mixed use development was added to the C-1 District on 5/24/21 to allow a greater use of opportunities along the central business the businesses in the downtown area, particularly second floors. district. • WEDAC studied the issue and Town Council adopted their recommendations (see below). • With amendments adopted on 10/24/22 businesses over 5,000 sq ft within C-1 now require conditional district approval by TC which is believed to encourage more local and smaller businesses in the C-1 district. C. Consider mixed-use development regulation as • Staff work complete with ordinance adopted to allow for mixed used development within a means of expanding development in areas certain zoning districts in May, 2020. with geographic limitations. D. Provide information resources • Walkability map completed in 2019. marketing downtown and its walkability. 4 5  2018-2021 Strategic Plan Final Report 1) Development of and distribution of • Walkability map completed in 2019. Town walkability (sidewalks) and parks map. 2) Collaborate with the Weaverville Business • Ongoing Association (WBA) in marketing downtown restaurants, retail businesses, art studios, breweries and recreation amenities. E. Research grant opportunities for all • Police Department applied for and received $3,000 grant for protective vests via NCLM Town operations and projects, as well as public safety grant program in 2019. for downtown efforts. • Public Works received grants totaling $30,000 grant to purchase recycling carts in 2021. • Police Department applied for and received $33,880 from the Governor’s Crime Commission for body cameras in 2020. • The Town applied for and received $42,000 in grant funding from the Land of Sky Regional Council for public WiFi in 2021. • Although outside of this Strategic Plan timeline, the Town has also received $5,000 for the Police Department barricade system, $44,647 for school resource officers, and $18,000 for EV charging stations; The Fire Department has applied for additional grant that were not awarded. F. Act as a liaison between downtown • Complete in 2019 by collaborating with downtown churches to identify 45 additional churches and businesses to identify parking spaces for business owners’ employees, which will free up space for downtown available parking downtown visitors’ parking. 1) Work with leaders from downtown • Completed in 2019. churches to identify potential parking for business employees and visitors. 2) Create and distribute maps showing • Completed in 2019. parking options in downtown Weaverville. 5 6  2018-2021 Strategic Plan Final Report Goal 5: To increase legislative outreach. Objectives (followed by Action Steps) Status A. Engage legislative representatives regarding • Staff recommends that Town Council schedule a workshop to develop legislative goals in the Town’s needs. 2020. • Workshop on this topic not held • Lobbyist approved by TC and successful in securing $15 million in WTP Expansion funding 1) Host meetings with legislative • Objective not achieved as stated. representatives periodically (especially before legislative sessions) to learn legislative priorities and to educate legislators on Town needs. 2) Discuss need for collaborative • Legislative interest in reestablishing an ETJ waned over the previous year’s and the development along the Town’s November, 2023 update of the CLUP saw this goal dropped from consideration. A corporate limits to ease land use resolution concerning development in identified growth areas along the town’s municipal conflicts and encourage regional use borders was adopted in December, 2022 and amended and restated in October, 2023 of resources. B. Consider opportunities for potential • Staff believes that the re-establishment of the ETJ through legislative action is critical for special legislation as Town needs dictate. proper land use development along the Town’s corporate borders. • Special legislation consistent with legislative goals should be considered and discussed with local legislators; • Legislative climate in recently years shows that supportive of reestablishment of the ETJ is unlikely. • TC dropped this item from the list of goals/priorities within the CLUP in 11/23. 6 7  ATTACHMENT 2 TOWN OF WEAVERVILLE AMENDED AND RESTATED RESOLUTION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN IDENTIFIED GROWTH AREAS WHEREAS, on December 13, 2022, Town Council adopted a resolution concerning identified growth areas, and, in a review of said resolution it was noted that the compatible uses within the growth areas did not include R-2, and that was an oversight; WHEREAS, municipal growth through annexation is essential to sound urban development and continued economic stability in the Town of Weaverville; and WHEREAS, managing growth by extending municipal services makes sense and annexation of properties ensures that new development is built to Town of Weaverville standards; WHEREAS, influencing where and what commercial development occurs within the Weaverville area and providing balanced residential development is desirable to the Town of Weaverville; WHEREAS, the Town of Weaverville would like to see growth that is well- designed and that complements the development that is already within the Town; WHEREAS, the Town of Weaverville has identified certain properties along its municipal borders as having a high likelihood of development due to the presence of public water and sewer and has identified them as growth areas as described below; WHEREAS, the Town wishes to indicate its willingness to consider the voluntary annexation of the properties included within these growth areas and to inform the public of the types of development that the Town believes is consistent with its Comprehensive Land Use Plan and reasonable when considering the surrounding area; WHEREAS, Town Council now wishes to amend and restated such resolution; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Weaverville Town Council hereby declares and resolves as follows: 1. The Town has identified the following growth areas which are now shown on the Town’s GIS map, a copy of which is attached hereto: a. Growth Area 1 – Gill Branch Valley Area b. Growth Area 2 – Monticello Road West Area c. Growth Area 3 – Ollie Weaver Road Area d. Growth Area 4 – I-26 Corridor e. Growth Area 5 – Reems Creek Road Area 2. The Town is likely to favorably consider voluntary annexation petitions received for the properties shown within these growth areas. It is noted, however, that some development, especially in Growth Area 3, may best proceed without annexation as the provision of municipal services may be difficult in certain locations and some areas may be ineligible for annexation 8  by the Town of Weaverville due to legal requirements regarding satellite annexation. 3. The following is valued, and as proposed development is considered on these properties, the Town would like to see an emphasis on: a. Great streets and gathering places, where the pedestrian is prioritized; b. Connections between adjoining developments and to gathering places; c. Walkability through the installation of sidewalks, greenways, and other multi-modal trails, especially those that will connect to the existing or planned pedestrian network within Weaverville; d. Preservation of natural spaces for public use; e. Establishment of open spaces that provides recreational opportunities in the form of greenways, playing fields and/or playgrounds; f. Protection of streams and creeks; g. Preservation of mature trees and planting of street trees; h. Landscape buffering and screening to protect views; i. Reduction of stormwater runoff which threatens our water quality; j. Energy conservation measures, such as EV charging stations and solar; k. Inclusion of commercial uses that support compatible development. 4. Consistent with Town Council’s prior discussions and consensus, the following uses of land are found to be compatible with the Town’s adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan and its Future Land Use Map, and may be desirable within Growth Area 1 [Gill Branch Valley Area]: a. mixed use development; b. single family residential development; c. duplexes; d. townhouses; e. multifamily development; f. commercial development (especially those supporting residential neighborhoods such as small general retail, restaurants, professional services). These uses are most consistent with the following zoning districts: R-1, R-2, R- 3, R-12, C-2, and conditional district zoning. 5. Consistent with Town Council’s prior discussions and consensus, the following uses of land are found to be compatible with the Town’s adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Future Land Use Map, and may be desirable within Growth Area 2 [Monticello Road West Area]: a. mixed use development; b. single family residential development; c. duplexes; d. townhouses; 2 9  e. commercial development (especially those supporting residential neighborhoods such as small general retail, restaurants, professional services). These uses are consistent with the following zoning districts: R-1, R-2, R-3, C- 2, and conditional district zoning. 6. The following uses of land are found to be compatible with the Town’s adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan and its Future Land Use Map, and may be desirable within Growth Area 3 [Ollie Weaver Road Area]: a. single family residential development; b. duplexes; c. commercial development (especially those supporting residential neighborhoods). These uses are consistent with the following zoning districts: R-1, R-2, R-3, C- 2, and conditional district zoning. 7. The following uses of land are found to be compatible with the Town’s adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan and its Future Land Use Map, and may be desirable within Growth Area 4 [I-26 Corridor]: a. commercial development (especially medical services such as healthcare facilities and medical offices, small general retail, restaurants, hotels). These uses are most consistent with the following zoning districts: C-2, and conditional district zoning. 8. The following uses of land are found to be compatible with the Town’s adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan and its Future Land Use Map, and may be desirable within Growth Area 5 [Reems Creek Road Area]: a. mixed use development; b. single family residential development; c. duplexes; d. townhouses; e. multifamily development; f. commercial development (especially those supporting residential neighborhoods such as small general retail, restaurants, professional services). These uses are most consistent with the following zoning districts: R-1, R-2, R- 3, R-12, C-2, and conditional district zoning. 9. The Town is willing to support compatible development within these growth areas by considering approval of public water requests for such development if current or anticipated capacity is available and such approval is in the best interest of the Town and/or its water system. 3 10  10. Town Council’s recommended procedure for approvals is for property owners to present voluntary annexation petitions either prior to or simultaneously with a water request and zoning request. Some deviations from this recommendation are anticipated in situations where a property is ineligible for municipal annexation or where provision of municipal services will prove difficult. 11. Nothing herein is binding on the Town of Weaverville and the review and approval of all annexation petitions, land use applications, and water extension or commitment requests will be made in Town Council’s discretion following procedures as required by North Carolina law and local ordinance. ADOPTED this the 23rd day of October, 2023. PATRICK FITZSIMMONS, Mayor TAMARA MERCER, Town Clerk 4 11 12 FUTURE LAND USE MAP WITH GROWTH AREAS  ATTACHMENT 3 PRIORITIES IDENTIFIED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS IN STRATEGIC PLAN EXERCISE Weaverville Strategic Planning 2024 Produced by Mayor Fitzsimmons SMART MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (5) GREENWAY (4) RECRUIT MEDICAL OFFICES/FACILITIES (3) IMPLEMENT ACTIVE WEAVERVILLE PLAN (3) COLLABORATE MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHER TOWNS/GOVERNMENTS (3) EXPAND/ENHANCE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL DISTRICT (3) HIRE LONG RANGE PLANNING PROFESSIONAL (3) STR REGULATION (3) ATTRACT MORE DIVERSE AND YOUNGER FAMILIES (3) MAINTAIN INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES QUALITY (3) EXPAND/ENHANCE RELATIONSHIPS WITH WBA AND TOWN BUSINESSES (2) PRESERVE OLD GROWTH TREES, CONSERVATION MEASURES (2) REDESIGN DOWNTOWN PARKING/PUBLIC USE AREAS (2) KEEP CRIME RATE LOW (1) COMPLETE WATER PLANT EXPANSION (1) ANNEX WHEN POSSIBLE BUT MAINTAIN STANDARDS (1) MINIMIZE TAX INCREASES (1) 13  ATTACHMENT 4 PATRICK FITZIMMONS Weaverville Assessment Please complete and return to Town Manager by January 1, 2024 This is a basic framework for an analysis of the Town from the perspective of Council members and Staff. What are the top 5-10 priorities of the Town? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 l 8 9 10 What are the top 3-5 strengths of the Town? 1 2 3 4 5 What are the top 3-5 challenges facing the Town? 2 3 4 5 Please complete back/2nd page as well. 56 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26