Asheville Mall Zoning Backtracks | Asheville News

Asheville News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 17, 2026 · 1m

Asheville’s City Council, led by Mayor Manheimer, just gutted its own development rules to give suburban zoning rights to the struggling Asheville Mall — a move that ignores the city’s walkable, mixed-use vision and prioritizes an out-of-town owner over community needs. The Mayor called current zoning “aspirational,” but critics say that’s not progress — it’s retreat. Developers ready to transform the mall into a vibrant urban hub are being sidelined, leaving the city stuck in a cycle of outdated thinking. This decision isn’t just about one mall — it’s a stark reminder of the gap between…