Happening Now
The City of Asheville recently made updates to its outdoor dining program as applied to use of public space (streets and sidewalks).
The application process for 2024 permitting is now open. The application can be accessed on the City’s Development Portal or access it directly here.
Program details are viewable in the Outdoor Dining Guide.
Information sessions were held in December 2023 and January 2024. View the slide deck here.
Questions?
- Check out the FAQ
- Contact the Planner of the Day at POD@ashevillenc.gov or 828-259-5450
- Schedule a pre-application meeting here.
An brief overview video is above. To view a video with additional background and program details, click here.
The updated program includes:
- A new outdoor dining ordinance that includes “streeteries” (use of public on-street parking spaces on city-managed streets)
- A new fee structure that supports:
- Better alignment with the market value of commercial space
- Maximizing multiple public benefits when possible
- Improved operational management of the program
- An outdoor dining guide that features standards and best practices along with clear guidance on the application and review process
Goals of the program:
- Support a welcoming, safe and active environment
- Improve the application, review and enforcement process (which will benefit staff, applicants and the public)
- Prioritize mobility and access for all including those with physical disabilities
- Transition elements of the temporary “AVL Shares Space” initiatives launched during COVID into long-term programs (i.e. parklets)
- Support the success and resilience of Asheville’s local economy
- More appropriately account for the value of commercializing public space through an updated fee structure
- Promote multiple public benefits whenever possible
Program Updates Process / Engagement
- 3/29/23 – Downtown Public Space Management Task Force – in Person – 6th Floor Training Room of City Hall
- 4/11/23 – Presentation and discussion with economic development organization workgroup organized by Buncombe County
- 4/18/23 – Asheville Independent Restaurant Association focus group
- 4/28/23 – Go Local business focus group
- 6/7/23 – Existing outdoor dining permit holders
- link to presentation)8/23/23 – Multimodal Transportation Commission
- link to presentation and link to recording
- Recommended approval
- 8/25/23 – Downtown Commission
- links: presentation, recording
- Recommended approval
- 9/11/23 – City Council Planning & Economic Development Committee
- links: staff report, presentation, recording
- Recommended approval / to advance to City Council
- 10/10/23 – City Council Policy, Finance & HR Committee
- links: staff report, presentation, recording
- Recommended approval / to advance to City Council
- 10/24/23 – City Council Consideration
- Links: staff report, presentation, recording
- Approved (including adoption of updated ordinance and new/updated fees)
Additional Information
- Video: Overview of Project – Summer 2023
- Video: Background and Detailed Information – Fall 2023
- Announcement of Outdoor Dining Program Updates – October 24, 2023
- Application Process Opens – November 13, 2023
- Outdoor Dining Guide – November 13, 2023
- FAQs – November 13, 2023
Temporary to Long-Term Program Timeline
- Spring 2020: Temporary AVL Shares Space initiatives launched.
- December 2021: Most temporary initiatives transition to existing long-term programs; temporary parklets may remain.
- January 2022: Outdoor dining permits required for sidewalks through pre-existing process; temporary parklets may remain.
- October 2022: Team launches long-term program development process.
- February – August 2023: public engagement and stakeholder feedback on proposed updates.
- September 11, 2023: City Council Planning & Economic Development Committee review
- October 10, 2023: City Council Policy, Finance and HR Committee Review
- October 24, 2023: City Council consideration/adoption – APPROVED
- November 13, 2023 – Application period opens for 2024 permitting
- January 2024: New policies, standards and fees apply to calendar year 2024 annual permit period
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic made the City and Community think differently about how public spaces – like streets, sidewalks and parking spaces – can be utilized to support the health, safety and welfare of the public in addition to fostering economic activity.
Through collaboration, communication and flexibility across sectors of government, business and community, the temporary AVL Shares Space initiatives launched in the spring and summer of 2020 enabled the testing of ideas.
Public feedback on the temporary programs indicated support for continuing many aspects longer term.
An interdepartmental team developed updates to the program based on lessons learned during the temporary AVL Shares Space initiatives launched during COVID-19 as well as established and emerging best practices.
AVL Shares Space Temporary Initiatives
- May 22, 2020: City of Asheville launches curbside pick-up program and expands flexibility for business use of private lots – Press Release
- June 5, 2020: City of Asheville expands flexibility for business use of sidewalks in addition to private lots – Press Release
- June 23, 2020: City of Asheville launches shares streets and parklet programs – Press Release
- September 28, 2020: AVL Shares Space extended to January 3 with winter guidelines – Press Release
- December 3, 2020: Reminders for safety requirements to operate outdoors – Press Release
- December 16, 2020: AVL Shares Space outdoor expansion to continue in 2021
- June 22, 2021: AVL Shares Space outdoor expansion to continue through 2021 – Press Release
- September 3, 2021: Share your Feedback on ‘AVL Shares Space’ outdoor expansion initiatives – Press Release
- September 2021: public survey results
- November 9, 2021: Presentation on AVL Shares Space to City Council
- June 13, 2022: Presentation and Report to City Council’s Planning and Economic Development Committee
- January 2023 – AVL Shares Space initiatives status updates
- May 2020 – December 2023 – Temporary Parklet Program Guidelines
- All temporary structures must be removed by January 2, 2024
Contact
Dana Frankel
Downtown Planning Manager
dfrankel@ashevillenc.gov