Public Input Meeting for Waynesville Railroad Overlay District Boundary
February 29th, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Waynesville Recreation Center (550 Vance Street)
The Town of Waynesville is hosting a public input meeting to discuss the boundaries of the proposed Railroad Overlay District on Thursday, February 29th, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. at the Waynesville Recreation Center (550 Vance Street).
Pursuant to the Waynesville 2035 Comprehensive Plan recommendations, the Town Planning Board examined the area along the railroad right-of-way for its land use challenges and opportunities. Between January and May of 2023, a study group of local business owners, planning board members, and development services staff looked at potential uses along the corridor, economic opportunities for redevelopment, current zoning, and railroad right-of-way constraints and needs of the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad. They determined an overlay district could encourage the reuse of existing buildings, introduce more uses and flexibility, and create a corridor where commercial, cultural, and residential areas could safely coexist and promote economic and social vibrancy.
In September, 2023, the Waynesville Town Council adopted the “Railroad Overlay District,” to create an option for more flexible mixed uses and development standards within the Town’s zoning. Now, the Town seeks public input as to the extent and locations where the corridor overlay should be implemented. Feedback received during the public input meeting will be used to create the proposed district boundaries. The Railroad Overlay District will then be proposed as a zoning map amendment through formal public hearings and Town Council consideration.
All residents are invited to attend the meeting and provide their input. For more information about the railroad corridor study, visit https://www.waynesvillenc.gov/departments/development-services/rail-corridor-study.
To access the Railroad Overlay District ordinance, see Section 2.6.3 of the Town’s Land Development Standards (LDS): https://www.waynesvillenc.gov/sites/default/files/inline-files/CHAPTER%202%20-%20DISTRICT%20PROVISIONS_1.pdf