Board of Adjustment (In-Person) (Nov 24, 2025)

Asheville Board of Adjustment Meeting Recap - November 24, 2025

The City of Asheville Board of Adjustment (BOA) convened on November 24, 2025, in the First Floor Conference Room of City Hall. The meeting followed a regularly scheduled format as outlined in the 2026 DRAFT BOA Schedule, which details regular meetings held on the fourth Monday of each month at 2:00 p.m., with fees associated for variance and interpretation/appeal applications ($520/$104 for variances, $832 for interpretations/appeals). Attendees should always verify meeting schedules on the City of Asheville website (www.ashevillenc.gov/boa) due to potential holiday-related reschedulings or cancellations.

The primary focus of the meeting centered on two quasi-judicial hearings related to properties damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. The Board unanimously approved a variance from flood damage prevention standards for the historic building located at 3 Boston Way, and also unanimously approved a variance for the property at 4 All Souls Crescent. Both properties are located within the Biltmore Village Historic District and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The owners, 3 Boston Way, LLC (applicant Kevin Westmoreland), sought variances to allow for renovations that would restore the buildings to their pre-storm condition, as full compliance with current flood regulations would significantly impact their historic character and designation.

The Board's decision to grant the variances was predicated on a determination that they met all necessary legal requirements, representing the minimum intervention needed to preserve the historic integrity of each building while not creating increased flood risks or conflicting with other laws. The approvals were accompanied by several conditions designed to mitigate potential flood risk while respecting the buildings' historical significance. These conditions include obtaining necessary permits and coordinating with city staff (specifically Alex Cole + Floodplain Administrator), developing signed flood action plans, elevating and flood-proofing HVAC and electrical systems (as much as practicable given historic preservation constraints), utilizing flood-resistant interior materials, submitting detailed floor plans documenting the changes, and providing a sewer backwater preventer (believed to already be in place).

The Board’s actions reflect a commitment to balancing historic preservation goals with public safety concerns, particularly in light of recent storm damage. Future meetings will continue to follow the schedule outlined in the 2026 DRAFT BOA Schedule, and applicants should be aware of the associated fees for variance and interpretation/appeal requests.