Double Standards in Zoning

Well, it looks like the power is not with the people but with a select few. In my earlier blog I stated that I have been supportive of the Buncombe County Commission's efforts to implement planning for the county. I believe it serves as a tool to empower the citizens in guiding what our community will become. However, this power is nonexistent.

In the draft county plan, my home, as are all my neighbors', is in the area proposed as "open use". I am not in favor of open use... it is the same as no zoning - or aka anything goes. When I called, I was told by the staff of the Planning Dept that all I needed to do was get signatures from those in my neighborhood wanting to rezone to "residential", submit the petition to the Planning Board, and then to the County Commission. Well, I did get approximately 50 signatures from my neighbors here in Candler. It took me three of my Saturdays going door to door. I went to the Planning Board meeting yesterday. Made my appeal. And the Chairman of the Planning Board, Bill Newman, turfed me to the planning staff. I stated that they sent me to the Planning Board. No matter. Off to the staff you go he said. The staff, however, made it clear that they had "marching orders" from the County Commission that only areas connected to MSD were to be zoned something other than open use.

So, I ask... when did a connection to MSD become the indicator that defines a home? Why is it that my home and the homes of my neighbors in Candler are less valuable than those connected to MSD? Sounds like decisions are based on a load of crap to me! (Literally and figuratively)

The Planning Board has double standards. The Chairman, Bill Newman was quoted in the Citizen Times as saying “If it’s commercial, let’s make it commercial,” he said. “The current use — we should zone it that way.” Well if that is his sentiment why not apply the same principle to residential communities? I believe that his interests are showing - support for corporate america rather than the people of Candler. I am getting the impression that Enka/Candler people are viewed as third class. Maybe it is time that Enka/Candler people come together to discuss incorporation and being our own town.

The Asheville Citizen-Times ran an article about this issue. Here it is:
Proposed zoning plan reworked
ASHEVILLE — More than 300 Buncombe County property owners dislike how their land would be zoned under a proposed county ordinance and have applied for a change. Many live in areas that would have an open-use designation, which allows nearly all land uses, and would prefer greater protections offered by a residential zoning designation.

Others run businesses in areas planned for residential zoning and want the zoning for their property changed to commercial.Buncombe County Planning Board members pored over maps Monday as they continue to refine a zoning plan to be presented to county commissioners in April. County planner Jim Coman said staff is working to align the ordinance as much as it can with the wishes of landowners, but in many cases, that won’t be possible.

Phillip Gibson of Candler said he gathered about 50 signatures from residents in the area of Dogwood and Monte Vista roads who want their property zoned residential instead of open use. “It’s preferable because it’s what we are,” he said. “We are a residential community. We want to be recognized as a residential community. It definitely provides more protections.”But Coman said the county commissioners directed that areas of the county without service from the Metropolitan Sewerage District be covered by the open-use designation. Without a change in policy by the board, residents like Gibson are out of luck, Coman said. For areas with sewer service, there would be eight zoning designations encompassing residential, commercial, industrial and public service uses. That’s where the heaviest development is located and where it’s most likely to occur.

The county has received 173 requests for changes in zoning designation from property owners in those areas and 131 requests from landowners in the open-use district, Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton said.

Planning Board Chairman Bill Newman said he’s concerned there are too many businesses located in areas zoned residential on the draft zoning maps. “If it’s commercial, let’s make it commercial,” he said. “The current use — we should zone it that way.” But Coman pointed out that uses that don’t conform to their zoning designation would be grandfathered under the ordinance. The goal is to group like uses, he said. “We have tried to draw boundaries along areas of common use,” Coman said. The Planning Board must approve the zoning plan before it goes to the commissioners. Coman said commissioners would like to vote on the ordinance at their April 10 meeting.