Black Mountain backs public safety funding search

Council debates repairs to existing building as Hilltop Road reconstruction moves toward year-end completion.

The Black Mountain Town Council approved a resolution supporting efforts to secure funding for public safety facilities on Oct. 12, following a debate over whether the town should repair its existing building or pursue a new facility on state-donated land.

Council members said the town is pursuing a $15 million grant for a combined public safety facility on North Fork Road while continuing to investigate the condition of the existing downtown building.

The resolution supports seeking grants and expresses the council’s intention to accept funding through the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program if the project receives an award. The town attorney said the resolution is not binding.

Council member Larry Harris, who introduced the resolution, said outside assistance would be necessary to afford a project of that size.

“We’re not saying we are going to build the building,” Harris said. “We’re saying we’re pursuing every option we can … for funding.”

The state conveyed the North Fork Road property to the town specifically for police and fire facilities, Harris said. If the town does not use the property for that purpose, it must return the land to the state.

The resolution also recognizes a need to maintain an active downtown fire response facility.

The mayor challenged portions of the resolution describing flood-related damage, structural instability and partial condemnation of the existing public safety building. He argued that the town should establish what repairs are necessary before committing to a new facility.

“This building is not condemned,” he said.

The resolution, however, described the building as partially condemned and cited multiple engineering, architectural and soil assessments.

Those included reports addressing a damaged stormwater pipe beneath the building, wall separation, slab settlement and groundwater beneath portions of the structure.

Interim Town Manager Richard Hicks said the town is arranging another structural engineering review. Council members said pursuing grants would allow the town to preserve its options while that work continues.

The mayor presented repair estimates for the roof, drainage, showers and kitchen, arguing that the building could be restored for less than $500,000. The discussion did not establish a final repair scope or cost.

The town is also appealing FEMA’s initial denial of public assistance for the existing building, according to the resolution.

Temporary accommodations remain an immediate concern. During public comment, Givens Highland Farms offered to extend its lease for police and fire administrative offices for two additional months at no additional charge.

Facilities Director Jim Boyer said the original six-month lease, offered for $1, expired Oct. 7. The building is scheduled for demolition in March 2027, after police and fire training planned for February.

Council also approved a resolution temporarily closing Honeycutt Street for the town’s temporary police and fire facilities.

Hilltop Road work underway

Town staff reported that reconstruction of Hilltop Road began in September, with completion anticipated by the end of the calendar year.

Helene washed away much of the supporting slope and approximately half the road at the damaged location, staff said. Crews are bringing in and compacting fill material to rebuild the hillside before paving and reopening the road.

The FEMA public assistance project is under $1 million, and the town received funding in advance about a month before the meeting, staff said.

FEMA created the project in February 2025. The town selected engineering firm McAdams in May, completed designs in December and awarded construction to CRW Land Services in March 2026.

Staff said acquiring land and an easement below the road allowed a design with a shorter retaining wall and a rebuilt slope. Without that access, a retaining wall approximately 100 feet tall would have been necessary.

The project’s FEMA action log contained 341 entries, including documents and correspondence, illustrating the administrative work required before construction could begin.

“The hurdle is always just getting it to the point where we can get equipment on the ground and doing the work,” a staff presenter said.

Bear rules approved

Council approved amendments to the town’s animal ordinance addressing activities that attract bears and other wild animals.

Staff said the changes support Black Mountain’s effort to become a recognized BearWise community and align with language used by Buncombe County and Asheville.

The amendments do not prohibit bird feeders outright. Staff explained that enforcement could apply when someone continues feeding birds in a manner that attracts bears after an animal control or law enforcement officer directs them to stop.

Buncombe County Animal Control handles enforcement under the town’s contract, staff said.

Council also approved stormwater ordinance changes while setting aside a proposed illicit-discharge section for further consideration.

During public comment, residents raised concerns about planning and zoning disputes, public records requests, and town accountability.

One property owner requested written answers and an independent administrative review of a code enforcement matter involving temporary storage containers placed after Helene. The mayor directed Hicks to follow up and copy him on the response.

Watch the meeting here and read the meeting agenda packet here.