Asheville Needs You

In addition to the thousand-plus employees and seven City Councilcritters, the future of our city is planned and implemented by a multitude of Boards and Commissions.  Most everything that comes before City Council first makes its way through one or more of these citizen-led bodies.  If you’ve wanted to get involved in a way that makes an enormous difference, then have a look at taking on the nuts’n'bolts.  You’ll meet oodles of talented, energetic people.  You’ll be shaping Asheville.  Deadline for applications is January 6th.  Email the magnetic Maggie Burleson (MBurleson@ashevillenc.gov) at City Hall to get started, or click here to download a .pdf of the application.

After the jump read about vacancies on these Board and Commissions:

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT – The Board (1) hears and decides applications for approval of variances from the terms of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), except where the UDO places responsibility for hearing or considering such a variance with another body; (2) hears and decides appeals from any order, requirement, permit, decision, or determination issued or made by an administrative officer of the City in enforcing any provisions of the UDO; (3) services as the City’s Housing Code Appeals Board; and (4) performs such additional powers and duties as may be set forth elsewhere in the UDO and in other laws and regulations.

CIVIC CENTER COMMISSION – Some duties of the Commission include (1) reviewing and making recommendations on programming goals and objectives for each venue in the Civic Center; (2) establishing a method for handling of customer service complaints; (3) developing and making recommendations regarding long range plans for the Civic Center; (4) reviewing and making recommendations on proposals for changes in the fees and charges for use of Civic Center facilities; (5) encouraging promotion of sports, recreation, entertainment and cultural events and activities, and to facilitate the use of the services and facilities of the Civic Center; and (6) performing other such tasks and functions as the City Council may direct.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL – The responsibilities consist of solving human problems, as they relate to racial, ethnic, religious and class relationships, and for other purposes expressed in the Community Relations Council’s Articles of Incorporation.

DOWNTOWN COMMISSION – The Commission was established for the sustainability and continued development of downtown, a vital urban center of western North Carolina’s economic, cultural and visitor activity. The Commission’s purposes include: (1) recommend to City Council an overall policy for the continued development and sustainability of downtown; (2) provide recommendations for effective management of the public resources for downtown and actively pursue and assist private sector investment in the downtown area for the welfare of the citizens of Asheville; (3) carry out the powers and duties assigned to the Commission regarding downtown design review; and (4) cooperate with and evaluate and represent the recommendations of other organizations.

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE – This Committee will undertake initiatives, at a City level and participate in the larger community and regional discussions, to improve the environment, encourage green development, and support the development of a healthy community.

FIREMEN’S RELIEF FUND – The responsibilities of the Board are to have entire control of the funds derived from the provisions of Article 188 of the N. C. Gen. Statutes and to disburse the funds in accordance with the statutes.

GREENWAY COMMISSION – The Commission’s responsibilities include: recommend steps for implementation and periodically updates of the Greenway Master Plan; foster the communication and coordination among the citizens of the City that would provide the needed support for acquisition and development of greenways within the City; identify potential sites or land parcels which should be acquired or reserved for open space or greenway purposes and recommend methods of acquisition for such parcels; and conduct continuing research, planning and feasibility assessments required to support the Commission.

METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT BOARD – The members oversee the operation of the Metropolitan Sewerage District, as well as holding hearings on issues at hand.

RIVERFRONT REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION – APPLICANTS MUST SPECIFY ON THEIR APPLICATION IF THEY ARE A PROPERTY OR BUSINESS OWNER IN THE RIVERFRONT DISTRICT AND IF SO, PROVIDE BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS. – The Commission shall (1) recommend to the City and County an overall policy for the continued development and sustainability of the regional riverfront; (2) provide recommendations to the City and County for effective management of the public resources for the districts; (3) actively pursue and assist private sector investment in the districts; and (4) cooperate with, evaluate and represent the recommendations of other organizations, including, but not limited to, property owners, merchants, residents, businesses, tenants, non-profits, institutions and other members of the riverfront and regional riverfront district communities.

TRANSIT COMMISSION – The Commission shall (1) study public transportation in the City and recommend to the Public Transit Office courses of action that could be used to correct these problems; (2) function as an advisory body with the responsibilities to advise the Public Transit Office on matters affecting the transit system and its operation; including, but not limited to: (a) the current and future direction of the transit system; (b) transit system problems, needs and requirements; (c) public interest matters and concerns; (d) quality and effectiveness of the transit system; (e) organization, operations, and management of the transit system; (f) proposed budget and plan of operations; (g) rate system and bus routing; (h) grant recommendations; (i) rules, regulations, and procedures; (j) coordination of transit matters with and between other agencies as may be necessary, required or desired; (k) other transit matters as necessary for the effective operation of the transit system; and (l) to maintain a close working relationship and dialogue with the City Manager and appropriate City staff; and (3) make period reports to the City Manager on the state of public transportation within the City.

TREE COMMISSION – The purpose of the Tree Commission is to foster the preservation, planting, replacement and removal of trees without denying the reasonable use and enjoyment of real property. The Commission’s responsibilities include: facilitate the planting, growth and protection of trees within the City; foster the communication and coordination among the citizens of the City that would provide the needed support for protection of trees within the City; conduct continuing research, planning and feasibility assessments required to support the purposes of the Commission; and work with City staff to promote and enforce Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville regarding the regulation of planting, protection, preservation and removal of trees.