News

Commissioners table Baystone Glen rezoning request

County Commissioner Jay Egolf discussed his concerns about the proposed Baystone Glen development as Commission Vice Chairman Michael Edney and County Attorney Russ Burrell consider the project.

By Amy McCraw, Published: August 21, 2025

County Commissioners on Wednesday delayed making a decision on whether to rezone property along Asheville Highway for a high-density development after members of the board expressed concerns about the number of apartments being built in the area, the local housing market and how sewer service will be provided.

Commission Chairman Bill Lapsley recused himself from the discussion of the proposed Baystone Glen development saying he personally knew the owners of the property.
The four remaining commissioners voted to postpone making a decision on a request for rezoning the property that would allow 430 dwellings on 56 acres of vacant land between the emergency management headquarters and Tar Heel Lanes and across from the Jackson Steel Ferris wheel.
Tranquil Waters Development LLC and Boones Station LLC and their agent, Justin Rohde, are seeking rezoning from Regional Commercial to a Conditional District to allow the dwellings. The land is owned by Nancy and David Bayless and their children. Plans call for 30 single-family lots, 120 townhome units in 23 structures and 280 apartments in 10 structures, for a total density of 7.63 units per acre. Amenities include a clubhouse with rental office, pool, dog park, outdoor common area and sidewalks.
While she said she liked plans for the development and its proposed amenities among other things, Commissioner Sheila Franklin said she also must pay attention to what people in Henderson County want.
“And we don’t have anybody saying, ‘Please, add more apartment complexes.’ We have to pay attention to what people who live here are asking for,” Franklin said. “And what they’re asking for is more housing. But they want housing they can actually stay and enjoy and invest in.”
Commissioner Jay Egolf who was elected along with Franklin last year said he thought the proposed development’s location near Asheville Highway was a perfect example of his goal of locating development near major roadways. But he said he too had concerns about the number of houses and apartments being build in the county and its municipalities.
“I just know that Ms. Franklin and I were elected and growth was a major concern,” he said. “And I said, and I’m gonna repeat it, that this is a perfect place where you put people. You put people where you can move people. You can move people here, but I just want to proceed very cautiously going forward.”
Egolf also expressed concerns during the meeting about the number of housing developments underway in the area and whether the county was being overbuilt.
McCall said she also had concerns about the number of apartments being built in the county and its municipalities. A quick google search identified 1,200 either currently in development or being planned.
“I just feel like we are being oversaturated with apartment buildings at this point,” she said. “I would not be in favor of apartment buildings.”
McCall said she was also concerned that an oversaturation of new building in the county was depressing the real estate market for existing homes.