Fifteen people are running for three seats on city council in Asheville. Nobody is running right of center, not even in response to a questionnaire put out by the conservative Asheville Tribune.
In addition to the traditional partnering with economic development organizations, federal urban renewal initiatives, and planning penalties; candidates are advocating inclusionary zoning, rent controls, and more arrangements where a portion of upscale condo proceeds will go toward a fund for affordable housing.
And everybody agrees that government needs to protect the sacred, self-evident, inalienable right of the city center’s vibrant sense of place not to be agitated by the bad energy of a chain store.
