Buncombe Board Approves 170 Unit Beacon Ridge Affordable Apartments

On November 29, 2025 the Buncombe County Board of Adjustment unanimously approved Beacon Ridge, a 170 unit affordable apartment project proposed by LDG Development for a 9.6 acre site in Swannanoa. The development will consist of four apartment buildings and a mix of unit sizes, including 42 one bedroom units, 92 two bedroom units, and 36 three bedroom units. The developer and county staff say the units will remain affordable for at least 30 years.

At a November 12 board meeting LDG representatives described income targeting that reserves units for households earning roughly 30 percent to 70 percent of area median income. The plan includes two amenity areas and a swimming pool. County staff and developer representatives flagged traffic volume and speed along U.S. 70 as a concern for safe access to the site, and discussed the potential to work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to seek a lower posted speed limit near the project entrance.

The unanimous vote by the Board of Adjustment signals clear local institutional support for adding subsidized rental capacity under a long term affordability covenant. For Buncombe County residents the project promises additional housing options for lower income households and family sized units with the 36 three bedroom apartments. Preserving affordability for at least 30 years increases the likelihood that these units will serve long term local need rather than convert to market rate housing in the near term.

Traffic and access remain practical issues that will affect neighbors and commuters. Any change to the U.S. 70 speed limit would require state action and further coordination between county staff, the developer and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Residents should monitor upcoming permitting steps and county meetings to track construction timelines, traffic mitigation measures, and the enforceability of the affordability commitments. The Beacon Ridge approval highlights ongoing policy choices about how Buncombe County balances new housing supply, long term affordability, and transportation safety along a major corridor.