Buncombe County Community Oriented Development

About the Program

Category: Planning (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Buncombe County’s Community Oriented Development (COD) program was developed toincentivize density and design flexibility (based on a points based system menu), in exchangefor affordable or workforce housing units, sustainability features, and community amenities.The program is allowed by-right in the Zoning Ordinance, and seeks to provide opportunities forthe creation of new affordable housing near major transportation corridors, where public waterand sewer infrastructure is available. The program includes requirements for income eligibilityand set rental rates/housing price affordability for a minimum period of 15 years. Since thecreation of the program in 2015, 130 new affordable and workforce housing units have beenapproved through the program, and more projects are currently in the planning stages.