# Design Review Committee (In-Person) (Sep 17, 2026)

**Body:** City of Asheville — Design Review Committee
**Date:** September 17, 2026 12:30 PM EDT (2026-09-17T12:30:00-04:00)
**Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA - First Floor Conference Room

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The Asheville Design Review Committee convened in person on September 17, 2026, to conduct a Level One design review for a project at 91 Craven Street. The meeting was streamed via the Virtual Engagement Hub and YouTube. A quorum was present with nine members; seven attended, two were absent, and one member, Gabriel Delaney, recused himself from the discussion and vote due to his firm’s involvement in the project’s design. The committee’s primary function, as noted by Chair Bryan Moffitt, is to perform mandatory design reviews for projects within designated design review areas, including the River Arts District where this project is located.

**Key Decisions and Votes**
The committee took two formal actions during the 12-minute meeting. First, they unanimously approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on June 18, 2026. Second, following a detailed review of the New Belgium Brewery proposal, the committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the project as presented. The motion, moved by Chair Moffitt and seconded by a committee member, was based on the submitted site plans, materials, and discussions regarding the redevelopment of the employee parking lot and the enhancement of the connection to the French Broad River Greenway.

**Discussion Highlights**
The core discussion centered on the technical and regulatory aspects of the New Belgium project. Staff member Sean Sains clarified that because the site was previously considered impervious under state statute, there was no regulatory requirement for additional quantity or quality stormwater control. However, the new design incorporates river rock channels and landscaping that enhance mitigation efforts. Staff member Tyler confirmed the project aligns with current parking maximums for the River Arts District Industrial zoning. The project involves replacing a gravel lot with heavy-duty concrete and asphalt, adding parking landscaping, and creating an accessible pathway to the greenway. Committee member Gabriel Delaney formally recused himself from the vote, stating his firm was involved in designing the project, but was permitted to remain in the meeting.

**Community Input**
No members of the public attended the meeting, and no comments were submitted in advance. Chair Moffitt noted his intention to take public comment but acknowledged the absence of attendees. Committee member Clay Mitchell confirmed that the official record should reflect no public attendance and no submissions. There were no further responses from the committee regarding the lack of public input.

**Follow-ups and Impact**
No specific action items or follow-up tasks were assigned to staff or committee members during this meeting. The approval of the minutes and the recommendation for the New Belgium project were the only outcomes. The project’s approval allows for the redevelopment of the employee parking lot and the construction of a new pathway connecting to the greenway, which staff noted serves as an enhancement to previous conditions. The next scheduled Design Review Committee meeting is set for October 15, 2026.

## Agenda

- [Approval of Minutes](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982/item/18250)
- [New Belgium Brewery - 91 Craven St - Level I](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982/item/18251)
- [Public Comment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982/item/18252)
- [Adjournment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982/item/18253)

## Votes

- Approve June 18, 2026 minutes — Passed, 5-0
- Recommends approval Formal review of a Level I project consisting of the redevelopment and improvement of the existing employee parking lot, as well as the construction of a new pathway connection to the French Broad River Greenway. — Passed, 4-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTY-XB9VAAs
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/2125/segments

## Documents

- [Materials Folder](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982?document=12975)
- [meeting’s public comment folder](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982?document=12976)
- [minutes_2026-09-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982?document=13599)
- [agenda_2026-09-17.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/2982?document=12977)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/design-review-committee-in-person-sep-17-2026/)