# Design Review Committee (In-Person) (Aug 21, 2025)

**Body:** City of Asheville — Design Review Committee
**Date:** August 21, 2025 12:30 PM EDT (2025-08-21T12:30:00-04:00)
**Location:** 70 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801, USA - First Floor Conference Room

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479

## Summary

**Meeting Overview**
The City of Asheville Design Review Committee held an in-person meeting on August 21, 2025, to review design projects within the downtown, riverfront, and hotel overlay zoning districts. The session focused on the formal review of a proposed Terminix service facility and the informal review of a proposed office building for Mountain Housing Opportunities.

**Key Decisions**
The committee voted to approve the minutes from the June 18, 2025, meeting by a vote of 5-0. Regarding the new business items, the committee voted to continue the formal design review of the 232 Swannanoa River Road project (Terminix Service Facility) to a future date. For the 16 Pearl Street project (Mountain Housing Opportunities Office), the committee provided feedback but did not make a formal recommendation or vote at this time.

**Discussion Highlights**
The primary discussion centered on the Terminix service facility, a single-story, 4,400-square-foot commercial space proposed for a site previously damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. Committee members debated the building’s alignment with riverfront design guidelines, specifically noting that the current design has a "residential" feel rather than the desired commercial aesthetic. A significant portion of the review addressed complex site constraints, including portions of the property extending onto the public right-of-way of Britt Drive and Swannanoa River Road, which impacts landscaping requirements. Members encouraged the applicant to revisit material choices, such as brick versus metal panels, and to better integrate driveway access with landscaping.

For the 16 Pearl Street project, the committee discussed a two-story building concept featuring retail space on the ground floor and offices above. Feedback focused on the corner element, with suggestions to either integrate it more seamlessly or emphasize its distinctiveness. Members expressed reservations about the proposed canopy design, suggesting alternatives to enhance vibrancy, and discussed the potential visual impact of rooftop mechanical equipment. One committee member suggested exploring a "green roof" for the project. Robin Raines was recused from this specific review due to her involvement with the project.

**Follow-ups**
Committee members requested that city staff explore options for addressing the road encroachment on the Terminix property. Additionally, the applicant for the Terminix project was encouraged to revise the design to address concerns regarding the building's character, corner elements, and material choices. The applicant for the Mountain Housing Opportunities project was encouraged to consider stacking the metal panel building vertically rather than horizontally and to explore alternative canopy designs.

**Impact**
These reviews are part of the mandatory design process for projects in designated areas of Asheville, ensuring that new construction aligns with community aesthetic and functional goals. The decision to continue the Terminix review allows for further refinement of the design to better fit the riverfront context and resolve right-of-way conflicts. The feedback provided for the Mountain Housing Opportunities project aims to guide the applicant toward a design that contributes more vibrantly to the Pearl Street streetscape.

## Agenda

- [Approval of minutes from the July 17, 2025 meeting.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479/item/3270)
- [232 Swannanoa River Rd - Terminix Services Facility - Level I](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479/item/21745)
- [New Business - Formal Design Review Wall Street Gateway Signage Advisory review of Wall Street gateway signage proposed by Explore Asheville.](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479/item/3271)
- [16 Pearl St - Mountain Housing Opportunity Offices - Level I](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479/item/21746)
- [Public Comment](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479/item/21747)

## Votes

- Approval of the June 18, 2025 minutes — Passed, 5-0

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6qWHT_rtcE
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/137/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_2025-08-21.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479?document=1658)
- [minutes_2025-08-21.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479?document=1662)
- [DRC Action Minutes 8-21-25.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/479?document=1665)

## Sources

- [City of Asheville WordPress](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meetings/design-review-committee-in-person-aug-21-2025-2/)