Design Review Committee (In-Person) (Oct 15, 2026)

The Design Review Committee convened on October 15, 2026, for an in-person meeting to conduct formal and informal design reviews of several development projects within the City of Asheville. The committee reviewed three formal applications and one informal review, focusing on site design, flood resilience, and community integration. The body voted to recommend approval for three of the projects, attaching specific conditions to each recommendation, while providing feedback on a fourth project scheduled for a future formal review.

Regarding the Hellbender Music Venue at 155 Thompson Street, the committee voted to recommend approval for Phase 2 of the venue. Council Member Boe moved the motion, which included a condition that staff monitor pedestrian and vehicular traffic as well as potential noise ordinance violations. The motion carried. During the discussion, Council Member Joe praised the project’s flood-anticipating designs, noting that such considerations make the community "safer and more resilient" in the post-Hurricane Helene era. Architect Robert Todd explained the venue’s "belt and suspenders" approach to flood safety, detailing how shipping container structures can be unbolted and moved to safety during flood warnings. Resident Brennan Splain opposed the project, citing noise levels and traffic disruptions, while Your Sprague, representing property owners, expressed support for the venue’s crowd management and traffic handling.

The committee also voted to recommend approval for the Drury Biltmore Station Hotel at Thompson and Hendersonville Road. Council Member Eddie moved the motion, which carried with several attached conditions. These conditions require the applicant to pursue alignment with the Greenway Master Plan, increase sidewalk connectivity to the Village, and incorporate resilient stormwater design features such as green roofs and bioswales. Council Member Eddie emphasized the need for multiple evacuation routes, stating, "I think you've got to have a good mouse has two holes," and recommended ensuring the site has an exit other than Swannanoa River Road. Resident Edna Farrier opposed the hotel, arguing it did not fit the character of Biltmore Village and raised concerns about stormwater runoff.

For the Buncombe County EMS Station at 40 McCormick Place, Council Member Eddie moved to recommend approval of the project as presented. The motion carried with the condition that the applicant meet or exceed minimum street tree requirements along both front edges of the property. The committee also conducted an informal review of the 120 Swannanoa River Road residential development. No vote was taken on this item; instead, the committee provided feedback on architectural diversity, open space programming, and flood safety. Council Member Gabriel raised concerns about flood evacuation, asking if the site plan included bridge access to higher elevations for "area of safe dispersal." Chair Brian Moffitt expressed strong policy reservations about placing residential units in flood hazard areas, stating that the inability to protect Swannanoa River Road gave him "the heebie-jeebies."

Staff agreed to monitor traffic and noise compliance for the Hellbender project as a condition of approval. For the Drury Hotel, staff agreed to include conditions regarding Greenway alignment, sidewalk connectivity, and site design standards in their recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. Applicants for both the Hellbender and Drury projects were instructed to address the specific conditions noted in the motions in their subsequent submissions. The applicant for 120 Swannanoa River Road agreed to address committee feedback regarding architectural diversity and flood safety before returning for a formal review, likely at the November 19, 2026 meeting.