Buncombe County is building a plan to make walking easier in unincorporated areas of the County outside of municipal limits. The County’s first Pedestrian Plan is a big-picture vision for a network of sidewalks and crosswalks. The goal is to connect neighborhoods to key places like schools, job centers, and other important spots so people can walk more comfortably and conveniently.  Timeline  The project began in the summer of 2025 and the final draft plan will likely to the Board of Commissioners mid-Fall. Initial community engagement events and outreach will start in the fall of 2025. Surveys and feedback opportunities will gather important data along the way. Our community and the Steering Committee will offer guidance and direct the plan before it goes before the Board of Commissioners.  Funding  The Buncombe County Pedestrian plan is funded by federal aid through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.  How to Get Involved To learn more about community meetings, Steering Committee opportunities, and feedback options, subscribe for updates below.  Take the Online Survey A virtual survey is now available to review the 10 draft priority projects. The four question  survey is available in English and Spanish. Take the survey here.  

The Buncombe County 2043 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2023 and identified the Swannanoa corridor as one of several areas of the county in need of more detailed planning. The devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene have increased the need for a plan for Swannanoa's future growth and recovery. A Small Area Plan identifies a specific neighborhood or geographic boundary and outlines a detailed plan for addressing future change in a way that responds to the unique characteristics and needs of the area. This page will be used to provide updates during the planning process.