Historic Resources Commission (In-Person) (Dec 10, 2025)

Historic Resources Commission Meeting Recap: December 10, 2025

The Historic Resources Commission of the City of Asheville held an in-person meeting on December 10, 2025, to review proposed changes to properties within the city’s historic districts. The session began with the approval of the minutes from the previous month’s meeting. The commission also reviewed the administrative agenda, which passed by a vote of 5-0. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public hearings for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) requests, a process that requires the commission to ensure proposed alterations are compatible with the historic character of the neighborhood.

The commission took action on three specific COA applications during the public hearings. First, the application for 5-9 Kitchin Place in the Biltmore Village Historic District was approved. This project involves replacing a front entry door, repairing wood trim, replacing awnings with new black canvas ones, repainting a sign panel, and applying film to rear windows. The commission confirmed that these changes were consistent with historic district guidelines, particularly noting the compatibility of the new door design. The vote to pass this item was recorded as 5-0.

Second, the commission approved the application for 15 Pearson Drive in the Montford Historic District, also by a vote of 5-0. This request involved modifying existing double-hung windows and partially enclosing a rear porch with new windows and siding. During the discussion, staff raised concerns about the scale of the proposed addition relative to the main house. The commission clarified that the city’s definition of square footage excludes unconditioned spaces, such as garages, from calculations. The approval was granted with conditions, including the requirement to submit manufacturer specifications for the new window and to retain and preserve the existing door being removed.

Third, the commission voted 5-0 to pass the application for 123 West Chestnut Street in the Montford Historic District. This request involves the construction of a 1,000-square-foot accessory structure, including a garage or carriage house with stone veneer and wood siding, along with a retaining wall and tree removal. Although the vote record indicates the item passed, the meeting minutes and agenda documents indicate that the application was continued to January 2026 to allow for further review of detailed information, such as a certified arborist report and retaining wall dimensions.

Public input was provided during the hearings. A landlord representative spoke in favor of the 5-9 Kitchin Place proposal, emphasizing the project’s contribution to revitalizing Biltmore Village. Separately, a resident spoke regarding the 15 Pearson Drive proposal, clarifying that the project adheres to historic district guidelines and explaining the exclusion of unconditioned spaces from square footage calculations.

Regarding next steps, the commission continued the hearing for 52 Cumberland Circle until the January 14, 2026 meeting. Staff agreed to review the arborist report and documentation for the retaining wall associated with the 123 West Chestnut Street project. Additionally, the city will verify the address for the 15 Pearson Drive project to ensure proper emergency response capabilities. The commission also noted upcoming community events, including a panel discussion on historic religious buildings scheduled for January 11, 2026, and a holiday home tour in Montford on December 13, 2025.