SWANNANOA, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Swannanoa residents will soon have a chance to weigh in on a draft plan that aims to shape the community’s future, including recovery efforts, housing, transportation and disaster resilience.
After a year of work by the Swannanoa Small Area Plan Steering Committee, the draft Swannanoa Small Area and Resilience Plan is now available for public review before it moves forward to the Buncombe County Planning Board and Board of Commissioners for consideration.
Buncombe County officials are inviting residents to review the recommendations, ask questions and provide feedback during several upcoming community engagement events.
The plan focuses on the U.S. 70 corridor as well as surrounding communities throughout the Swannanoa Valley, including Riceville, Oteen, Lytle Cove, Lake Eden, Bee Tree, Patton Cove and Buckeye Cove.
Topics addressed in the draft include housing, transportation, health, recreation, Hurricane Helene recovery, future disaster mitigation and long-term community resilience.
Once adopted, the plan could help guide future capital investments, development decisions, partnerships, policies and other priorities affecting the Swannanoa area.
“Community feedback is an important part of this process,” Buncombe County officials said, noting the plan remains in draft form and residents’ input will help shape the final recommendations. The current timeline calls for adoption of the final plan in November 2026.
Residents can review the draft plan and provide feedback at the following events:
Saturday, Aug. 1
Swannanoa Community Center
216 Whitson Ave.
Drop in between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
A free, kid-friendly puppet show will be held inside the community center from 2-3 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7
Swannanoa Community Center
216 Whitson Ave.
Drop in between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Swannanoa Fire Bee Tree Substation
510 Bee Tree Road
Drop in between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Residents who cannot attend an in-person event can review the draft plan and submit feedback online from Aug. 1-17 through Engage Buncombe County.
The online exhibit will include information about the planning process, previous community feedback, summaries of recommendations and a short poll for residents to share their thoughts.
The draft plan is available here.
