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🌱 Patch AM: How new post-Helene zoning could change where Asheville can rebuild

Also check out PBS North Carolina's Homegrown History Screening & Discussion on the Asheville Patch calendar

Saturday September 26th Patch AM (Davidson J.)

Cheers Asheville! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How new post-Helene zoning could change where Asheville can rebuild
  • When will Swannanoa's Ingles return—and what's up with water calls?
  • How five international students are settling into life at UNC Asheville

Also on today's calendar: PBS North Carolina's Homegrown History Screening & Discussion and 9 more events.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Davidson J.!

Today's riddle: Riddle: David's parents have three sons: Snap, Crackle, and what's the name of the third son? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 74 and low of 40 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 73, low: 41.
  • Monday: Nice with plenty of sun, with a high of 76 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Asheville, North Carolina, balances redevelopment and flood risk two years after Helene (costar.com) — Asheville officials are overhauling zoning rules, steering development away from floodplains, and backing new affordable housing projects as the city continues rebuilding from Hurricane Helene's devastating floods. From River Arts District plans and Biltmore Village recovery to new duplex and ADU rules, the changes could shape where and how Asheville residents live, work, and find housing for years.
   

2. Answer Man: What's the latest on Swannanoa Ingles replacement? Robotic response to water outage complaint? • Asheville Watchdog (avlwatchdog.org) — Swannanoa residents still have no firm timeline for rebuilding their flood-damaged Ingles, even though Buncombe County has approved key permits and a county commissioner says reopening the store is a priority. Meanwhile, Asheville Water Resources is fixing an after-hours answering system glitch that briefly forced callers to deal with an AI-style robot instead of a live person during recent Haw Creek water outages.
   

3. After one month at UNC Asheville, international exchange students reflect on their experience (thebluebanner.net) — International exchange students studying at UNC Asheville say they've quickly found a second home on campus and in the wider Asheville community, praising the relaxed lifestyle, supportive staff, and welcoming Weeks of Welcome events. They also describe challenges like adjusting to heavy coursework, missing familiar foods, and confronting pre-trip fears about safety in the U.S., which they say have largely eased after a month in town.
   

4. A Chef's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina (saveur.com) — Asheville diners get a chef's inside look at the city's standout restaurants, from intimate date-night spots and bakeries to hot fried chicken and hyper-local Italian. The guide highlights how local farms, Appalachian roots, and laid-back neighborhood joints shape where you can eat out right now, with plenty of specific places to try across town.
   

5. Q&A: Two years after Hurricane Helene • Asheville Watchdog (avlwatchdog.org) — Two years after Hurricane Helene, Asheville and Buncombe County are still rebuilding homes, jobs, and infrastructure, with major gaps between damage and available funding. Local readers learn where recovery stands, how new HUD money will be used in Asheville, what's planned for Swannanoa and the city's water system, and which housing and road programs might still help affected families.
   

📸 Around Asheville

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please let me know if you see Abbie.
    She's a sweet elder feline family member who is missing. Would love to find her and bring her home. (Nextdoor Virginia Avenue)
  • Folks, I am pleased to say I won two NAMA (North American Mycological Association) national awards recently.
    1st Place (Sculpture) and 2nd Place (ceramics) for my mushroom art. You can check out my mushroom creations at the Marquee Asheville. I also do large… (Nextdoor Beaucatcher Heights)
  • YMCA of Western North Carolina posted a job opening for Afterschool Counselor II - Horizons McDowell in Asheville. Apply here.
  • Sylvan Learning, Inc. posted a job opening for Educational Site Coordinator (Asheville Part-time Leader) in Asheville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Asheville here.

Ok Asheville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: David (Thank you Thomas F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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