# Historic Resources Commission (In-Person) (Feb 11, 2026) **Body:** City of Asheville — Historic Resources Commission **Date:** February 11, 2026 4:00 PM EST (2026-02-11T16:00:00-05:00) **Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA - First Floor Conference Room **Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447 ## Summary **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. ## Agenda - [Adoption of the January 14, 2026 Minutes and Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8393) - [Public Hearing Rules and Swearing In](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8394) - [Swearing In](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/21159) - [Continuation of Hearing for 53 Birch Street](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8395) - [Public Hearings - Certificates of Appropriateness and Preliminary Subdivision Approval Requests](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/21160) - [53 Birch Street (PIN 9639826325) - Replacement of existing partially collapsed stone retaining wall. Applicant: Patrick Haramija](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/21161) - [Continuation of Hearing for 345 Montford Avenue](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8396) - [345 Montford Avenue (PIN 9649040738) - Replacement of existing partially collapsed stone retaining wall. Applicant: Patrick Haramija](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/21162) - [5 All Souls Crescent (PIN 9647792712) - Replacement of existing vinyl double-hung windows with new aluminum clad windows. Applicant: Josh Scala](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8397) - [52 Cumberland Circle (PIN 9649047709) - Replacement of screening on rear porch with windows. Applicant: Jane Haverty](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8398) - [265 Cumberland Avenue (PIN 9649045369) - Alteration of existing retaining wall in front yard. Applicant: Jennifer & Andrew Ayala](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8399) - [1 Woodlawn Avenue (PIN 9649227499) - Modifications to rear elevation, including removal of existing windows, installation of new French doors, and construction of a new deck. Applicant: Robert Barrett](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8400) - [101 Santee Street (PIN 9639855198) - Construction of a new driveway. Applicant: Carole King](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/21163) - [Other Business](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/8401) - [Other Comments from Commissioners, Public and Staff](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447/item/21164) ## Votes - Ms. Bowen moved to approve the minutes as amended by Mr. Mays and the Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law of the January 14, 2026 meeting. This motion was seconded by Ms. Watkins. — Passed, 16-0 - Ms. Watkins motioned to continue the hearing for 53 Birch Street to the March 2026 meeting. Mr. Mays seconded the motion. — Passed, 16-0 - Ms. Watkins motioned to continue the hearing for 345 Montford Avenue to the March 2026 meeting. Mr. Mays seconded the motion. — Passed, 16-0 - Chairman, based upon the evidence presented to this Commission... I move that this Commission **approve** the Certificate of Appropriateness... — Passed, 16-0 ## Video & Transcript - Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ46JVS2Ri0 - Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1051/segments ## Documents - [Copy of 1 Woodlawn Ave FOF.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=4279) - [HRC Minutes - February 2026.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=3662) - [HRC Staff Reports Feb 2026.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=2547) - [HRC Feb 2026 Agenda.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=2522) - [Copy of 5 All Souls Cres FOF.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=4280) - [Copy of 52 Cumberland Cir FOF.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=4281) - [agenda_2026-02-11.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=2497) - [minutes_2026-02-11.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/447?document=3661) ## Sources - [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/historic-resources-commission-in-person-feb-11-2026/)