The Boone Town Council has passed its first new comprehensive plan in almost 20 years.
The development guide, known as Boone Next, has affordable housing and sustainability among its top priorities.
The plan emphasizes repurposing existing developed land over expansion into undeveloped and rural areas.
Mayor Tim Futrelle says the goal is to guide growth responsibly.
“We've only got a little over six square miles of area to grow within, and we've almost got that filled up,” he says. “And so now we're looking at some other areas too where we can make some more progress.”
New residents, tourism and the growing number of Appalachian State University students have contributed to rising home prices in Boone.
Addressing the problem could come from incentives for developers. They’d be able to build more than they normally would in exchange for including some low-cost housing.
The plan was finalized in the months after Helene, and lessons from the storm on climate change and community resilience are referenced throughout.