Historic Resources Commission (In-Person) (Feb 11, 2026)

Historic Resources Commission Meeting Recap: February 11, 2026

The Historic Resources Commission (HRC) of the City of Asheville held an in-person meeting on February 11, 2026, to review requests for alterations, demolitions, and new construction within local historic districts. As a quasi-judicial body, the commission evaluated these proposals against established state and city ordinances, focusing on preserving the character-defining features of historic properties. The agenda included routine business, public hearings for several Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) applications, and discussions regarding ongoing preservation standards.

Key Decisions and Votes

The commission began by approving the minutes and Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law from the previous meeting, which passed unanimously with a vote of 16-0. The majority of the meeting was dedicated to public hearings for specific properties. The commission voted to continue the hearings for 53 Birch Street and 345 Montford Avenue, with both votes passing 16-0. These continuations allow for further review and additional information from applicants before a final decision is made.

The commission also voted on two Certificate of Appropriateness applications, both of which passed unanimously with a 16-0 vote. The first was for 1 Woodlawn Avenue, where the commission approved plans to enclose a rear porch, replace windows with French doors, and construct a deck. The second was for 5 All Souls Crescent, where the commission approved the replacement of damaged vinyl windows with new wood windows.

Discussion Highlights and Conditions

During the review of 5 All Souls Crescent, a property in the Biltmore Village Historic District, the commission emphasized the importance of maintaining historic character. While approving the window replacement, the commission stipulated that the new wood windows must be "true divided lights" rather than simulated divided lights. Staff will work with the applicant to finalize the specific window specifications.

For 1 Woodlawn Avenue in the Montford Historic District, the commission approved the rear elevation modifications but requested revisions to the railing design. Specifically, the commission asked for square picket railings instead of the originally proposed design. The applicant is required to submit revised handrail drawings and door specifications for staff review and approval before commencing work.

The commission also reviewed 52 Cumberland Circle, where the application to replace porch screening and a door with wood windows and a single-lite wood door was approved. The commission noted that the materials matched existing structures, consistent with the Montford Historic District Design Review Standards. Although the transcript summary indicates this item was discussed, the official vote record provided for this meeting does not list a specific vote tally for 52 Cumberland Circle; however, the document summaries confirm the application was unanimously approved.

Continued Hearings and Required Actions

The hearings for 53 Birch Street and 345 Montford Avenue were continued to March 2026. For 345 Montford Avenue, which involves the replacement of a stone retaining wall damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, the commission requested more detailed information regarding veneer materials and clarification on whether concrete or existing stone should be used for the rebuild. Similarly, for 53 Birch Street, applicants need to provide additional details on retaining wall repairs.

The commission also continued the hearing for 265 Cumberland Avenue, which involves widening a driveway and relocating a retaining wall. The commission expressed concerns about the impact on the historic streetscape and requested a revised drawing with scaled dimensions that addresses these character concerns. Additionally, the hearing for 101 Santee Street was continued, with the commission requesting a grading plan, clarification on the railing design, and confirmation that the trash enclosure complies with screening regulations.

Follow-ups and Future Steps

Staff members agreed to research and provide information on previous driveway approvals, particularly regarding the Cumberland Avenue property, to assist in the continued review. Applicants for the approved projects at 5 All Souls Crescent and 1 Woodlawn Avenue must submit revised specifications for staff approval and obtain all necessary permits before starting work. Applicants for the continued cases must resubmit their plans with the requested additional information for the March 2026 meeting.

In other business, the commission noted that the City is conducting a public survey regarding potential changes to the Montford Historic District design standards. The survey will be available from February 27 to March 20, 2026, and the commission is scheduled to review the results in a work session in April. The commission also highlighted upcoming community events, including a Historic Home Tour on February 21-22 and a presentation on James Vester Miller at the Asheville History Museum on February 24.