Environmental activists have long been concerned about Buncombe County selling a piece of land by city hall. Elaine Lite likely lost her bid for a seat on Asheville City Council when she was filmed blessing the old magnolia tree there with a ceremonial dance. Concerns were raised that the deal went down without giving the public a chance for input. The City of Asheville took a position tonight that as part owners of the land, they were not consulted about the sale. The position was further that the city could do nothing to reverse the agreement the county had made.
The council chambers tonight were filled with people wishing to speak against the plans for the site. They wanted the commons, which one described as a part of all democracies, to be placed in a conservation easement. Some thought it would be a good idea to create a new zoning, PP, for parks in perpetuity.
The city contended that there were no plans for the site in spite of news reports. The plans had been withdrawn. Against the mayor’s requests, a representative of the developer continued to reference the plans that didn’t exist.
