Design Review Committee (In-Person) (May 21, 2026)
May 21, 2026 at 12:30 PM
70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA - First Floor Conference Room
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Event Recap
Design Review Committee Meeting Recap: May 21, 2026
The Design Review Committee (DRC) held its meeting on Tuesday, May 21, 2026. The committee’s primary focus was a formal review of proposed exterior rehabilitation plans for a historically significant commercial building located at 26 Battery Park Avenue. While the meeting began with standard administrative housekeeping—including electing new officers and approving previous minutes—the bulk of the session centered on balancing necessary structural repairs with the critical need to preserve the building's unique historical character.
Key Discussion: Rehabilitation of 26 Battery Park Avenue
The project aims to rehabilitate the three-story commercial structure, which is recognized as a "contributing structure" within the Downtown Asheville National Register District. The proposed work involves replacing original marble facade elements with limestone blocks. This proposal immediately sparked detailed discussion among committee members and staff regarding historical preservation standards. Committee experts expressed deep concern that removing the original marble—a character-defining feature—could be irreversible and might jeopardize the building's status for future tax incentives.
The applicant’s representative argued that the replacement was necessary because the existing marble panels were failing due to delamination, requiring full structural stabilization using limestone. While staff acknowledged the structural urgency, they noted significant inconsistencies between the proposal and established design guidelines, emphasizing that any changes must be easily reversible in the future to maintain historical integrity.
Decisions and Conditions for Approval
After extensive debate over material choices and preservation methods, the committee voted to approve the exterior rehabilitation project at 26 Battery Park Avenue. However, this approval is not unconditional; it comes with several strict mandates designed to protect the building's history.
Most critically, the committee stipulated that the final approval is strictly conditional upon the applicant obtaining an official opinion from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). This requirement ensures that state-level experts verify that the proposed changes are fully congruent with the building’s historical significance. Furthermore, the committee mandated that any replacement materials must be removable and replaceable in the future, adhering to strict preservation standards.
Action Items and Next Steps for the Community
The outcome of this meeting means that while the project can move forward, the process is far from complete. The primary action item assigned to the building owner is immediate consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). No construction can begin until SHPO grants official approval. Additionally, the committee strongly advised the applicant to conduct deeper research into the building’s original architectural plans and records by visiting local archives.
In summary, the Design Review Committee was supportive of the necessary structural repairs but acted as a highly cautious steward of history. The project is permitted to proceed only if the owner can prove, through state-level review (SHPO), that the proposed limestone replacement respects the building’s original architectural intent and maintains its historical character.
Upcoming Meeting: The next scheduled meeting for the Design Review Committee is set for June 18, 2026.