Montreat Minute – April 25, 2025
Spring and summer bring house projects for many Montreaters. But before you get started, make sure you are in synch with zoning and building ordinances. For example, the following popular projects require zoning or building permits:
- Grading always needs a permit!
- Retaining Walls require a permit regardless of height
- A licensed contractor is needed for any work over $40,000
These projects generally do not need permits:
- Painting a house
- General cosmetic upgrades
These projects may or may not need permits, depending on circumstances:
- New roof: if it is a shingles to shingles project, no permit needed; but if it is a shingles to metal roof (for example) transition, a permit is needed
- Water heater: if it is a like to like change, no permit is needed; but if any other features are different (for example upgrading size, change of power source, tank to tankless), then a permit is needed.
Our best advice: Check with Town Clerk Angie Murphy before doing any kind of work. Call her at 828/669-8002, ext. 1.
Be Prepared: I-40 Westbound to be Closed in Asheville this Weekend
A stretch of Interstate 40 will close this weekend, weather permitting, allowing contract crews to begin rehabilitating bridges and resurfacing between Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) and I-26 East (Exit 46A) from 8:00pm Friday through Monday at 6:00am. Traffic will be detoured along I-240 from Friday night to Monday morning. Detour signs will be placed in direct traffic on and off I-240.
Plan accordingly and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.
More Foreign Objects Found in Brush Piles- New Rules in Force
Unfortunately, foreign objects, including wood boards, metal and Styrofoam, were recently found in curb-side brush piles. Last month, we reported that a metal bar was mixed into a brush pile and totally destroyed the $30,000 wood chipper the Town purchased last year. Even more alarming, metal rocketed back out of the chipper and narrowly missed hitting Public Works Sanitation Worker, Drew Brown. Fortunately, the foreign materials were found this time and no damage was done to the new replacement chipper purchased 10 days ago.
Restating brush pickup standards, please:
- Cut limbs to 6-foot lengths, not more than 6 inches in diameter
- Stack all cut ends in one direction
- Limit brush piles to 1 cubic yard in size (about the size of a small pickup truck load)
- Do not include debris, boards, metal, invasive species, or other foreign material in with brush
Effective immediately, if foreign material is found in a resident’s brush pile, it will not be collected and the resident will be notified of the infraction. If multiple infractions occur, the resident will lose the privilege of brush pickup. If equipment is damaged due to foreign objects in the brush pile, the resident will be responsible for the cost of repair.
Thank you for abiding by the brush standards so we can continue this free privilege for residents.
Rain Barrels Offered by Buncombe County and RiverLink
Due to our proximity to the Upper Swannanoa Watershed, Montreat residents are eligible for a low cost rain barrel. This opportunity is made possible by Buncombe County’s Clean Water Fund grants and focused on communities that are near the Upper Swannanoa River. The barrels, provided by RiverLink, are 50 gallon Ivy Rain Barrels made in N.C. from recycled plastic. RiverLink is offering these rain barrels for $37.50 to Montreat and Black Mountain residents, about a quarter of the cost from traditional retail outlets.
Supplies are limited. Fill out this form before May 5th.
Updates and Reminders
The Hemlock Treatment Workday has been delayed until April 29 from 9am to 3pm. For more information or to volunteer, please email Elizabeth Hamilton or Joe Standaert
The Town Council is looking to add a resident (full or part time) to the Planning and Zoning Commission. To learn more about the duties and responsibilities of the Commission, CLICK HERE. If you are interested in being considered, please write info@townofmontreat.org.
Do you receive your own copy of the Montreat Minute or know someone who doesn’t? Sign up for the Sunshine List to receive the Montreat Minute and stay “in the know” about the Town’s happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the list!
Do you receive Montreat Code Red alerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about Code Red or to be added to the list, CLICK HERE.
Questions or Comments?
Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? If so, please send them to Angie Murphy at info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend!
