Historic Resources Commission (In-Person) (Sep 9, 2026)

Meeting Overview The Historic Resources Commission held its regular in-person meeting on September 9, 2026, at Asheville City Hall. The session focused on administrative updates, the adoption of past minutes, and three public hearings regarding Certificate of Appropriateness (CA) applications. The meeting also included a review of a National Register nomination for a property in Fairview. During the proceedings, the Commission’s Chair resigned, and Commissioner Amy Moxley assumed the role of acting Chair.

Key Decisions and Votes The Commission adopted the minutes from the August 12, 2026 meeting, while the minutes from April 28, 2026, were continued to a future date. Regarding specific projects, the Commission approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for 40 Watauga Street in the Montford Historic District, contingent upon the submission of revised door specifications. The Commission also approved a CA for the Cathedral of All Souls on Three Angles Street, requiring the submission of door hardware specifications for staff review. Additionally, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend the S.J. Ashworth House on Charlotte Highway for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. A hearing regarding a retaining wall project at 7 Cherokee Road was continued to the October meeting, with no final decision rendered on the wall materials.

Discussion Highlights Significant discussion centered on the technical requirements and historic standards for the approved projects. For 40 Watauga Street, staff noted that metal doors had not previously been approved for new structures in the district, recommending fiberglass or aluminum-clad wood instead. Commissioner Moxley emphasized that the Commission’s role is limited to hearing requests for certificates and does not extend to setting policy or soliciting public opinion on the desirability of applications.

Regarding the Cathedral of All Souls, the applicant proposed a five-foot black metal picket fence to screen mechanical equipment, citing security concerns and previous vandalism. Commissioner Moxley accepted this height as an accommodation for safety concerns, provided the area was screened by plantings. Staff clarified that the National Register nomination is primarily honorific but offers benefits such as access to historic rehabilitation tax credits. Commissioner Matthews noted that stone suppliers are typically able to match specific wall examples based on their quarry sources.

Community Input Public comments were received during the hearings for the three CA applications. For 7 Cherokee Road, the applicant explained that tree removal and power pole relocation were necessary for construction but were not included in the initial application, suggesting a potential alternative of regrading the hillside. For 40 Watauga Street, the applicant agreed to use the staff-suggested door materials.

Representing the Cathedral of All Souls, Jenny Gwinn explained that the proposed fence height was requested for life safety reasons due to the visibility of electrical panels. Glen Stack, a Preservation Landscape Architect, commented in support of keeping the vestibule and the proposed fence, provided it was screened by plantings. Staff clarified that Stack did not have standing as a witness, but his comments were noted. The applicant responded that grading changes were minor and did not impact tree protection.

Follow-ups and Next Steps The applicant for 7 Cherokee Road agreed to submit an amended application by the next submittal deadline, including an engineering report, an arborist report detailing the tree to be removed, a site plan showing power pole relocation, and feedback on preferred stone materials. The applicant for 40 Watauga Street agreed to submit revised door specifications for staff approval before work commences. The applicant for the Cathedral of All Souls agreed to submit door hardware specifications for staff review. The matter regarding 7 Cherokee Road is scheduled to return to the Commission at the October meeting.