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Grading for New 5-6 Grade School
Contractors are in the process of grading the new Babe Ruth Baseball Field associated with the new 5-6 grade school (to be located at the corner of Overlook Rd and Long Shoals Rd).  To make room for the ball field, a wide swath of trees (behind Valley Middle and Estes) have been removed.  Please click here to see a map.  The area within the irregular black shape depicts where tree removal has occurred.  Please disregard the red oval.

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New Mapping Solutions

In collaboration, the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, The University of North Carolina-Asheville, and the Renaissance Computing Institute at UNC-Asheville Engagement Center have created the website mapWNC to provide innovative web-based mapping solutions to address issues that affect our region.  One such offering is the Steep Slope Tool which allows the citizens of Buncombe County and the City of Asheville a means of determining whether an area of interest is subject to either the Buncombe County Hillside Devolvement Standards or The City of Asheville Steep Slope Ordnance.

The Crime Mapper Tool provides access to crime related information and statistics by area, now with charts, to include Asheville Police and Buncombe County Sheriff's data.

Priority Places is an interactive mapping application designed to strengthen quality economic development investment in the city of Asheville. This tool enables business owners, citizen or government agencies to weigh multiple geographic factors and generate a map that highlights optimal locations for their activities.

For the complete listing of interactive mapping tools visit the City's website.

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Beware of Solicitors

Please be aware that several individuals, one with a known criminal history of breaking and entering (B&E), were seen soliciting in Biltmore Park on June 28th.   Asheville Police ask that you be extra vigilant on the 'off chance' that these individuals were attempting to identify future B&E targets. 
 
Please contact APD if you observe anything suspicious.  When in doubt call the police! Emergency: 911, Non-emergency:  252-1110

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New Management Company

We have a new property manager!  Baldwin Real Estate, Inc. will now provide all administrative, architectural control, and financial management for our association.  Please make a note of their contact information in your directory. 

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New Materials to be Recycled by City

The City of Asheville is adding two new materials to the curbside recycling collection program.  All plastic bottles and empty aerosol cans will now be accepted for recycling.  Residents can successfully recycle both new materials by placing them in their green bin and by following these simple guidelines:

Aerosol Cans

▪  Empty aerosol cans

▪  Remove plastic tops

Plastic Bottles

▪  Remove caps and discard

▪  Rinse

▪  Flatten to conserve space

▪  Look for two characteristics of plastic bottles that are recyclable:

         ▪ Neck of bottle or an opening smaller than the base (or widest part).

         ▪ The number 1 through 7 inside the recycling symbol (a triangle of three chasing arrows)

▪   The following plastics will not be collected:

         ▪ Bottle caps or tops

         ▪ Antifreeze, pesticide, motor oil or other hazardous material containers

         ▪ Containers that aren't bottles (deli or yogurt containers, margarine tubs, or flower pots)

         ▪  Plastic bottles that are not marked with a recycling symbol

         ▪  Prescription bottles

         ▪  Plastic bags of any type

         ▪  Plastic wrap

         ▪  Styrofoam

If you have any questions regarding recycling, please contact Curbside Management at 252-2532.

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Homeowner Handbook

A Homeowner Handbook has been created that can be used as a quick reference guide to supplement the governing documents and will hopefully answer many questions regarding Biltmore Park Association policies.   Please download the Biltmore Park Association Handbook at your earliest convenience and direct any questions to our Board of Directors. 

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Parking Restrictions and Tree Protection Policies

The Board of Directors has been asked by homeowners to more clearly document and enforce Neighborhood Parking Restrictions and Tree Protection Guidelines.   Parking Restrictions and Tree Protection guidelines are outlined in the Association's governing documents and apply to all Biltmore Park residents (owners and renters).  Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with both of these policies as violations can result in fines.

▪  Biltmore Park Parking Restrictions

▪  Biltmore Park Tree Removal Policy/Application

If you suspect that a violation has occurred and wish to report it,  please refer to the  applicable policy for further information and/or contact the property manager.

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Property Owners affected by City Ordinance Changes

Several City ordinances will regulate what Biltmore Park property owners can and can’t do with their property.

The Hillside Ordinance, which has been in force for many years, regulates the amount of grading that can occur on property above 2,220 feet in elevation and/or meets certain slope requirements.  The newly approved and more restrictive Steep Slope Ordinance (approved on 7/10/07), regulates grading and building on property above 2,350 feet in elevation and/or meeting certain slope criteria.  Ordinance restrictions apply to new construction, additions, and landscape grading.

In addition, changes have been made to the Stormwater and Erosion Control Ordinance which will affect all property that is located close to water.  In an effort to preserve, protect and improve the nation’s water resources from polluted runoff, the state has mandated an aquatic buffer of 30 feet for all jurisdictional streams and lakes.  Affected streams will appear as 'blue lines' on USGS maps.  Per City Council's vote on 7/21 to approve this requirement, no land disturbance will be allowed within 30 feet of a stream or lake. 

The BP Architectural Control Committee (ACC) is closely studying these ordinances and is in the process of making the necessary changes to its’ application and approval process.

Property owners wishing to know more on how these changes may affect them should contact the appropriate City Dept.

For inquires about the Hillside or Steep Slope Ordinances please contact the City's Planning & Development Dept. at (828) 259-5831.

For inquires regarding the Stormwater and Erosion Control Ordinance please contact the City's Stormwater Services Dept. at (828) 232-4567.

Additional information can also be found at the City’s website http://www.ashevillenc.gov/index.aspx

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Alert - Save your Hemlocks from the Wooly Adelgid

Unfortunately, the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (HWA) has made its way to Biltmore Park and our neighboring communities.  It attacks the stems near the base of the needles, killing the needles and preventing new growth. Unable to make food, the tree starves and can die within three years, although some trees will live longer while exhibiting diminished growth. If left untreated, death is inevitable. With proper and timely treatment, this destruction can be prevented.

While 100% elimination is difficult, it is also not necessary in order to have healthy, lush hemlocks. Treatment and monitoring are key components in the active management of your trees.  Treatment options for HWA are:  1) Imidacloprid soil injection, 2) Imidacloprid stem injection, 3) Insecticidal soap/dormant oil.

The preceding information was presented by Appalachian Arborists  during a recent meeting held at the Skyland library in early July.   If you were unable to attend the meeting and have  questions regarding the Wolly Adelgid or available treatments please contact Appalachian Arborists at 828 225-2985.

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Skateboarders and Town Square

The Town Square Association has asked the Board of Directors to post a reminder that Asheville Police have been instructed to confiscate skateboards and notify parents if skateboarders are discovered skating within Town Square.   Businesses are concerned for skaters safety and that someone will inadvertently smash through one of the large plate glass windows.

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Vandalism

Various acts of vandalism have been committed over the last year in Biltmore Park and the surrounding area including all three public schools.  If you have any information regarding these incidents, please inform IPM, a board member, or the police. 

Off-duty officers, contracted directly by the Association, are patrolling our streets and common areas in an effort to augment the existing police service within our neighborhood.  If you should come in contact with an officer please welcome them to the neighborhood but be mindful that they’re working.

It is very important that any and all acts of vandalism be reported to the Police and the property manager so that a documented history can be created.  The phone number for reporting non-emergencies to the Police is 252-1110.

It is likely that the persons involved in these criminal activities are adolescent residents of Biltmore Park.  The consequences of these activities affect all homeowners - from the time needed for clean-up, costs of signs, extra security, and the danger of harm to our children and neighbors. 

Please help prevent further crimes by talking to your children and by keeping an eye and an ear out for suspicious activity.

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Airport Racetrack

Over the last year, Asheville City Council has had discussions on the idea of constructing a racetrack on 51 acres of city property adjacent to the Airport and within the French Broad River Floodway.  

After voting on this issue, our Board of Directors decided that building a racetrack in this location would not be in the best interest of Biltmore Park residents.  Specifically, there were concerns about the noise generated by the racecars and the loudspeaker system.  Studies of other racetracks and experiences from the old Amboy Racetrack suggested that our quality of life and property values could be adversely affected even though we are located several miles from the proposed site.  Other regional concerns included environmental, safety, and traffic impacts.

An opposition group called ROAR (Responsible Opposition to  Airport  Racetrack) recently published an informational flyer, which was delivered to Biltmore Park mailboxes, calling for residents to speak out on this issue by contacting our local elected officials.   Based on the public comments of City Councilmen Jan Davis, it seems your voices have been heard.  Councilmen Davis has stated publicly (click to listen) that the political will does not exist for building a racetrack in this area due to citizen opposition. 

For more information please visit the ROAR website.