Developers want to build a restaurant on land that was donated to Riverlink for conservation and public enjoyment. When Karen Cragnolin served as Executive Director of Riverlink, the organization invited community to donate land along the beautiful Swannanoa and French Broad Rivers, fulfilling author and Asheville legend, Wilma Dykeman’s vision for the River’s health. 

Asheville has wonderful restaurants and also buildings to be made into more restaurants. There is no need to destroy vital and fragile habitat for herons and eagles and other wildlife. We need people simply not to build on habitat. Not just this restaurant, but anything. Not only because this land in sealed by a covenant for conservation. In a world where we know how humans have to stand up for nature, and where so many of us, especially Karen and her staff, worked together to create a living riverway, let’s stand together for our River and its inhabitants. Let’s stop this ridiculous restaurant. 

Support for this petition is evident in the following codes, provided by Kim Roney: 

The restaurant meets none of the intentions defined by River Arts District, as per River Arts District Form-Based Code, below, and is therefore unlawful: http://legacy.ashevillenc.gov/departments/community/riverfront/river_arts_district_form_based_code.htm

"1.2.Intent. It is the intent of this River Arts Form District to:

A.Maintain the industrial and creative arts feel of the district;

B.Retain an environment that supports working artists and their studios;

C.Support the adaptive re-use of existing buildings;

D.Improve connections and mobility while balancing walking, biking and vehicular options;

E.Apply flood damage prevention requirements that enhance resiliency;

F.Allow for development intensities that support future infrastructure improvements;

G.Ensure that new development supports the community's vision for the district; and

H.Add predictability for residents, tenants and owners."

 

Also:

"

Sec. 7-11-4. - Open space standards.
 
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(a)

Purpose. The open space standards contained herein are established to provide for the reservation of open spaces in both residential and non-residential developments located in the City of Asheville and its area of jurisdiction. Preservation of open space in developing areas serves a variety of purposes, including meeting the recreational needs of residents, improving the aesthetic character of the community, reducing stormwater runoff, and enhancing air quality. The standards set forth below provide for the protection of open space in both residential and non-residential developments.

(b)

Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following terms are defined.

Active recreational facilities mean tot lots, tennis or basketball courts, playgrounds with equipment such as swing sets and climbing apparatus, swimming pools, pavilions or covered decks available for common recreational use, or similar facilities.

Suburban open space amenities mean open water, wetlands, floodplains, woodlands, land which exceeds a 25 percent slope or is otherwise governed by the steep slope and ridgetop requirements, land used for stormwater retention, land available to residents or tenants for active or passive recreation, including clubhouses, parks, walking trails not used to meet sidewalk requirements, playgrounds, swimming pools, benches, picnic tables, and similar amenities.

Urban open space amenities mean public sidewalks significantly in excess of standard sidewalk requirements, streetscape and hardscape areas accessible to the public including sidewalk cafe areas, areas containing public art, and similar amenities.

(c)

Open space requirement. Open space shall be provided in accordance with the following table for: initial residential development containing eight or more units or redevelopment or additional development that adds eight or more units; for initial nonresidential or mixed use development of lots containing one acre or more in area; or for redevelopment or additional development that adds 25 percent more nonresidential or mixed use floor area on lots containing one acre or more in area. The CBD district and single-family residential subdivisions with a minimum lot size of one acre or more are exempt from the requirements of this section."

https://library.municode.com/nc/asheville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH7DE_ARTXIDEDEST_S7-11-4OPSPST