Buncombe County Government North Carolina

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Boards & Commissions

Boards & Commissions

Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee

Members: 20

Terms: first term is one year; reappointments are made for 3 years

Purpose: to advocate for the rights of citizens residing in rest home; to promote community involvement and cooperation with rest homes to insure quality care for the elderly and disabled.

Note: Persons are NOT eligible to serve on this committee if they or an immediate family member have a financial interest in a home served by the committee; are employees or governing board members of a home served by the committee or have an immediate family member that is a resident in a home served by the committee.

Agriculture Advisory Board for Farmland Preservation

Members: 9 - 5 must be engaged in farming

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: created by the Farmland Preservation Ordinance of 1989, this Board reviews and approves applications for qualified farmland and voluntary agricultural districts and makes recommendations concerning the establishment and modification of agricultural districts.

Asheville Regional Airport Authority

Members: 7 - 3 appointed by the County Commissioners; 3 appointed by the City of Asheville; 1 appointed by the Airport Authority. Members receive $25 per meeting

Terms: 4 years

Purpose: Oversee the development, management and operation of the Asheville Regional Airport.

Asheville Buncombe Fair Housing Commission

Members: 6

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: under the authority of NCGS Chapter 14A this commission enforces the North Carolina Fair Housing Act regarding unlawful, discriminatory housing practices occurring within the County.

Board Website: Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council

Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees

Members: 15 - 4 appointed by the Governor; 4 appointed by the Buncombe County Commissioners; 2 appointed by Madison County Commissioners; 4 appointed jointly by the Boards of Education; 1 ex-officio (SGA President)

Terms: 4 years

Purpose: to guide overall operation and direction of the college including the adoption and enforcement of all reasonable rules, regulations and by-laws for its governing.

Buncombe County Board of Adjustment

Members: 9 - 3 at large members; 2 community members from each township where zoning is enforced; 2 alternatives

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this Board interprets zoning maps, hears and decides appeals from any order or decision of the Zoning Administrator; grants Conditional Use Permits and Planned Unit Development Permits; authorizes variances in requirements of the zoning ordinances; junkyard ordinance and off-premise sign ordinance.

City of Asheville Board of Adjustment

Members: 12 - 3 appointed by the County Commissioners; 9 appointed by the City Council

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this Board interprets the Asheville Unified Development Ordinance; rules on request for the granting or denying of variance requests; acts as the Housing Appeals Board.

Town of Weaverville Board of Adjustment

Members: 7 - 3 appointed by the County Commissioners representing the extraterritorial jurisdiction; 4 appointed by the Town of Weaverville

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this Board hears requests from the citizens for variances or special exceptions when they are not in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance of Weaverville.

Board of Health

Members: 11 - 1 County Commissioner; 1 Dentist; 1 Nurse; 1 Optometrist; 1 Pharmacist; 1 Physician; 1 Veterinarian; 1 Engineer; 3 representatives of the public

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: established by the NC General Statutes as a policy making ad judicatory body for the County Health Center. This Board considers and reviews all health matters including health problems, Health Center financing and makes recommendations to the Board of Commissioners.

Board of Trustees For Abandoned Cemeteries

Members: 4

Terms: members serve at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners

Purpose: NC General Statutes require counties to take possession and control of all abandoned public cemeteries in their respective counties. This Board is required to oversee the boundaries of said cemeteries are clearly laid out, defined and marked to preserve them from encroachment.

Community Relations Council

Members: 18 - 6 appointed by the County Commissioners; 6 appointed by Asheville City Council; 6 appointed by the Community Relations Council.

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: created in the late 1950’s to facilitate communication throughout the County for diverse groups, organization and individuals. The Council supports multifaceted programs which serve to relieve those who may suffer from denial of equal opportunity and advance community awareness toward cooperatively ensuring equitable representation of all citizens regardless of race, sex, color, national origin, age and religion in housing, employment, public accommodations and the law.

Board Website: Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council

Council on Aging

Members: 30 - 3 appointed by the Board of Commissioners; 27 appointed by the membership

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this is the governing body of a non-profit organization that acts as the focal point for aging services in Buncombe County. This Council was organized in 1973 and supports and coordinates needed assistance and services for residents of the County over 60 years of age.

Crimestoppers Board of Directors

Members: 15 - 3 appointed by the County Commissioners; 3 appointed by the Asheville City Council; 3 appointed by the Chamber of Commerce; 3 appointed by the Asheville Merchants Association; 3 appointed by the membership

Terms: all serve at the pleasure of their respective Boards

Purpose: to raise and maintain funds for the award pool; determine the amount of each award, make each award payment.

Economic Development Commission

Members: 9 - 6 appointed by the County Commissioners and 3 appointed by the Chamber of Commerce

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: to oversee and stimulate private sector participation, economic growth and job creation in Buncombe County.

Environmental Advisory Board

Members: 21  appointed by the County Commissioners

Terms: at the pleasure of the Board of Commissioners

Purpose: to advise the Board on environmental policy, recommend environmental initiatives, perform special duties and projects  This Board is currently considering a proposed tree preservation ordinance.

Tree Preservation Ordinance Presentation [PDF]

Equalization And Review Board

Members: 5

Terms: 1 year terms—no more than 6 consecutive terms. Members receive $75 per meeting.

Purpose: to hear and review appeals of valuation and taxable property located within Buncombe County as set forth in NCGS 105-322 of the Machinery Act.

Historic Resources Commission

Members: 14 - 7 appointed by the County Commissioners; 7 by the Asheville City Council

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: administers the City and County programs of local historic districts and properties, reviews changes to buildings designated historic

Board Website: Historic Resources Commission

Industrial Facilities and Pollution Control Financing Authority

Members: 7

Terms: 6 years

Purpose: approve companies who are willing to adhere to special pollution control regulation and wage amounts to qualify for the issuance of tax-free bonds.

Land of Sky Regional Council Agency on Aging

Members: 22 - 3 appointed by the County Commissioners in Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania and Madison; 1 appointed by the Aging Coordinating Consortium and the Senior Tar Heel Delegate

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this Council studies needs, interests and characteristics of older adults; helps establish priorities of need and serves as an advocate for older adults in Region B; strives to coordinate services within the region in order to maximize benefits to recipients.

Library Board of Trustees

Members: 9

Terms: 4 years

Purpose: this Board was created by the NC General Statutes and exercises full control and supervision of the Public Library System.

Metropolitan Sewerage District Board

Members: 11

Term: 3 years

Purpose:this Board is a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina that sets policies, employs management and is generally responsible to the citizens of the district for operation of the district Sewerage System consisting of collector and interceptor sewers, pumping stations and wastewater treatment facilities serving over 100,000 persons.

Mountain Area Workforce Development Board

Members: 29 - 15 appointed by Buncombe County Commissioners; 6 by Henderson County Commissioners; 4 by Transylvania County Commissioners; 4 appointed by Madison County Commissioners of these members there are 15 from private industry; 4 from educational agencies; 2 from labor; 1rehabilitation agency; 3 from community-based organizations; 1 from economic development; 2 from employment service and 1 public assistance

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: to provide policy guidance for and exercise oversight with respect to the delivery of workforce development activities under the Workforce Investment Act and JobLink Career Center System in partnership with their unit of local government.

Mountain Valley Resource Conservation And Development

Members: 24 - 2 members appointed by the County Commissioners of Buncombe, Cleveland, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford and Transylvania Counties; 1 member appointed by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of aforementioned Counties

Terms: serve at the pleasure of the board

Purpose: non-profit organization that draws on all of the resources of the Department of Agriculture to address the conservation of all of our natural resources in Regions B & C.

Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee

Members: 20

Terms: initial term of one year; reappointments are for 3 years

Purpose: serves as a liaison between the County Commissioners and local nursing homes with primary functions being to improve the quality of care to residents of nursing homes through monitoring of care and through resolution of complaints of residents and families.

Note: Persons are not eligible to serve on this committee if they or an immediate family member has a financial interest in a home served by the committee; are employees or governing board members of a home served by the committee; an immediate family member is a resident in a home served by the committee.

Opportunity Corporation Of Buncombe & Madison Counties

Members: 18 - 6 public representatives (elected officials or their representatives); 6 private representatives (members of local business, industry or other major group in the community) and 6 representatives of the poor.

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: policy-making body that assists with planning.

Parks And Recreation Advisory Board

Members: 9 - 1 from each of the 6 school districts and 3 at-large members

Term: 3 years

Purpose: makes recommendations to the County Commissioners on matters affecting recreation programs, personnel, finances, acquisition of lands and properties related to the County’s recreation programs.

Planning And Zoning Commission Of Asheville

Members: 7 - 2 appointed by the County Commissioners to represent the extra-territorial jurisdiction; 5 appointed by the Asheville City Council.

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: created by NCGS 160A-361 as an advisory board to the Asheville City Council; responsible for reviewing and making recommendations on zoning, major developments and the comprehensive development plan. This commission establishes policy and guidelines for the growth and development of the City.

Planning And Zoning Commission Of Weaverville

Members: 7 - 4 appointed by the County Commissioners from the extra-territorial area; 3 appointed by the Town of Weaverville.

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this Board was formed by the Town of Weaverville as part of the subdivision Ordinance. Members review and approve new subdivision plans to assure they meet all ordinance requirements.

Planning Board For Buncombe County

Members: 9

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this board was created under the authority of NCGS 153A-321 and 322 to make studies of the area within its jurisdiction; develop and recommend policies, ordinances, administrative procedures and advise the County Commissioners. This Board also reviews all applications for major subdivisions and variances for any subdivision as well as review of developments within the Ivy River Water Watershed.

Social Services Board

Members: 5 - 2 appointed by the County Commissioners; 2 appointed by the State Social Services Commission; 1 appointed by the other four members. Members receive $20 per meeting; Chairperson receives $30 per meeting.

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this Board was created by the NCGS 180A-1. Powers and duties as per NCGS 180A-9 that include selection and dismissal if necessary of the County Social Services Director pursuant to the state merit system rules; to advise County and Municipal authorities in establishing policies and plans to improve the community’s social conditions; to assist the Director in planning budgets and to carry out whatever other duties and responsibilities the General Assembly, Department of Human Resources, the Social Services Commission or the County Commissioners assign.

Tourism Development Authority

Members: 9

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: to expend funds acquired from the 3 percent occupancy tax to further the development of travel, tourism, and conventions in Buncombe County through state, national and international advertising and promotion.

WNC Air Quality Board

Members: 5 - 3 appointed by the County Commissioners; 2 appointed by the Asheville City Council

Terms: staggered terms of 2, 4 and 6 years

Purpose: this Board has legal authority for enforcing the Air Pollution Control Rules and Regulations for Buncombe County.

Women's Commission

Members: 15

Terms: 3 years

Purpose: this Commission identifies and communicates the special needs and issues of Buncombe County women and provides support to address these needs. The current goal is to ensure that the number of women serving on government-appointed, policy-making or regulatory boards and commissions is reflective of the demographics of our community.

Board Website: buncombewomen.org