Historic Resources Commission (In-Person) (May 13, 2026)

Historic Resources Commission Meeting Recap: May 13, 2026

The Historic Resources Commission (HRC) held its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The HRC is a specialized body responsible for reviewing development projects within Asheville and Buncombe County’s historic districts. Its primary function is to act as a safeguard, ensuring that proposed changes respect the historical character of our neighborhoods by issuing Certificates of Appropriateness (COA).

Community Recognition and Preservation Efforts

The meeting began with an important recognition of local efforts dedicated to preserving history beyond just physical buildings. The Commission honored three groups and individuals for their vital contributions:

• Dr. Todd Gregg: Recognized for his documentary work, Black in Asheville, which highlighted the historical impact of urban renewal and gentrification on Black residents since the 1960s.
• Come Hell or High Water Project: Honored for its crucial archiving efforts following Tropical Storm Helene, gathering thousands of personal stories and photographs to create a model for trauma-informed history preservation.
• Stumptown/Montford Fund: Recognized for establishing the Asheville-Buncombe community land trust, an effort designed to protect affordable housing and combat racial wealth gaps by investing in Black homeownership.

Key Development Decisions (Certificates of Appropriateness)

The core business of the meeting involved reviewing four major development applications. The Commission voted to approve Certificates of Appropriateness for all four projects; however, these approvals came with specific, mandatory conditions designed to ensure continued adherence to historic standards and materials.

Approved Projects Included:

• Biltmore Village Wayside (Historic Train Depot): Approved for a major restoration that involves removing modern enclosures and updating mechanical systems. The applicant must submit revised specifications for all proposed wood doors for staff review.
• 265 Cumberland Avenue: Approved for widening and relocating an existing retaining wall/driveway structure, provided the work adheres to approved plans, including the removal of a dogwood tree.
• 174 Montford Avenue: Approved to change a flat roofline on the rear elevation to pitched asphalt shingles, contingent upon using dark-colored materials that match existing roofing.
• 315 Pearson Drive: Approved for enclosing a back porch/mudroom and modifying windows. The applicant must revise specifications, prioritizing wood materials and ensuring window modifications are done carefully, especially on primary facades visible from the street.

Discussion Highlights and Community Input

Throughout the session, public comments focused heavily on maintaining material authenticity and distinguishing between necessary repair versus unacceptable wholesale replacement. Commissioners repeatedly questioned whether proposed modern materials (such as aluminum doors or certain siding types) were appropriate for highly sensitive historical structures, advocating instead for historically accurate wood finishes.

A key debate centered on the Cumberland Avenue wall: whether the proposal constituted a necessary repair of deterioration or an unacceptable change to the structure's original configuration and location. The Commission emphasized that its role is not to set policy but to apply strict standards to the material evidence presented by applicants, ensuring that preservation efforts are guided by objective criteria.

Action Items and Next Steps for Residents

While all four reviewed projects were approved, residents and applicants must adhere strictly to several action items:

1. Material Specification: For multiple properties (Biltmore Village Wayside and 315 Pearson Drive), the applicants must submit revised specifications for doors and windows, ensuring they are consistently wood and match existing styles and colors.
2. Compliance: All work across all approved projects must be completed in strict accordance with the final approved drawings and local ordinances.

Looking ahead, the HRC will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Furthermore, the Commission has scheduled an educational event for the community on June 12, 2026, at Young Men’s Institute (YMI), providing further opportunities for residents to learn about local preservation standards.