By Thomas Calder
The general election is not until Tuesday, Nov. 3, but as part of Xpress’ annual Sustainability series, we reached out to candidates running for office to share their ideas and policy plans on a number of environmental issues.
Below are responses from Asheville mayoral candidates. Mayor Esther Manheimer is seeking reelection and is facing challenger and current City Council member Kim Roney, who also ran for mayor in 2022.
We will have additional Q&As with other local candidates featured throughout April.
Esther Manheimer
The Save the Woods campaign at UNC Asheville remains active. What is your position on the issue? And what role can City Council play in the conflict?
I remain concerned about development of the woods and its impact on our city’s ecology and surrounding neighborhoods. I hear the concerns and visions voiced by residents across Asheville. Although the state has preempted city oversight of the property, I have met numerous times with the chancellor and authored a letter to UNCA outlining community concerns. I will continue meeting with the university and neighbors to advocate for a use reflecting a shared community vision.
The city is currently on track for its 2% CO2 reduction goal. But according to its FY25 Sustainability Annual Report, “further actions [are] needed for 4% goal.” What practices would you like to see the city implement to achieve that 4% reduction goal, and what would be necessary — in terms of funding, equipment, training, education, etc. — for your proposal to succeed?
To reach a 4% reduction, Asheville should prioritize electrifying its fleet, retrofitting its buildings, expanding the use of renewable energy and reducing employee commutes. Those are the largest current sources. This requires capital investment in EVs and charging infrastructure, building modernization and solar, alongside staff training and commuter incentives like transit benefits and measured remote work. Strengthening data tracking and community partnerships is needed to scale these efforts and ensure consistent, measurable progress.
Last August, Council passed Resolution 25-194, which established four Helene Recovery Boards, reducing the role of the previous 13 advisory boards and commissions to meet on an as-needed basis through June 2027. This includes the Sustainability Advisory Committee. In your opinion, why or why not was this the correct decision?
This decision established four Helene Recovery Boards to guide long-term rebuilding and ensure community input shapes recovery decisions. The boards focus on housing, infrastructure, the economy and people, and environment. Each board includes community members and representatives from the 13 existing city advisory boards. They meet regularly to provide policy recommendations to Council. This temporary structure, according to participants, is working well and helping enable more meaningful and timely participation in recovery decision-making processes.
Should City Council and the City of Asheville be encouraging more dense development in the city limits? What about the position of residents who want to preserve green space in the city? What development policies are better for city residents and the region in terms of sustainability?
All future development should enhance our environment, protect watersheds, tree canopy and the natural beauty that makes Asheville special. We can ensure that in part through thoughtful zoning changes, planning strategically for denser, mixed-use development near transit corridors and existing infrastructure rather than sprawling into green space and mountainsides. My advocacy for bond investments in parks and greenways, and housing policies that encourage dense infill on urban corridors, shows my commitment to preserving natural areas.
Many conservation and sustainability efforts rely heavily on federal funding. How can our state and local governments build stronger, more resilient systems for environmental stewardship when federal priorities or funding fluctuate?
We have done meaningful work and can do more. I have long advocated for climate change mitigation, both before Helene and while integrating resilience into recovery efforts. Through strong advocacy, I helped secure major funding to support Asheville’s recovery, with roughly $1 billion expected in the coming years. This investment will strengthen water infrastructure, rebuild parks and create community resilience centers, helping neighborhoods grow stronger and better prepared for future climate-related disasters.
Many cities and counties have adopted climate and sustainability goals, yet new housing is often built only to minimum code standards that do little to reduce long-term energy use. In what ways can local governments better align housing policy with sustainability goals while ensuring homes remain accessible, affordable to purchase and affordable to operate?
This is a significant challenge for North Carolina cities, as HB 488 (2023) froze residential code updates until 2031, leaving 2018 standards in place. In response, I’ve worked with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to better align housing policy with sustainability goals, promoting affordable housing that exceeds minimum standards. The city supports this through regulatory incentives, along with affordable housing loans and grants that encourage higher-standard, more sustainable development.