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

Meeting Overview The Historic Resources Commission of the City of Asheville held an in-person meeting on March 11, 2026. The agenda focused primarily on public hearings for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) requests within the Montford and Biltmore Village historic districts, with a significant emphasis on repairs to infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene.

Key Decisions The Commission recorded one formal vote during the meeting: the approval of the minutes and findings of fact and conclusions of law from the previous session, which passed with a tally of 16-0. No other formal votes were recorded in the transcript summary. Several other items were decided by consensus or continued for further review:

• Riverside Cemetery (53 Birch Street) and Montford Park (345 Montford Avenue): The Commission approved plans to replace damaged stone retaining walls with concrete structural walls featuring stone veneer.
• 101 Santee Street: The Commission approved a revised plan for a new driveway and retaining wall, rejecting an initial proposal that used Verde block.
• 51 Watauga Street: The Commission approved a foundation repair and retaining wall project.
• 9 Kitchin Place: The Commission continued the review of a storefront renovation proposal, requesting additional information on materials.
• 16 Short Street: The Commission continued the review of a solar panel installation proposal.
• 265 Cumberland Avenue: The Commission continued the review of a driveway widening and retaining wall relocation project.

Discussion Highlights A major portion of the meeting was dedicated to the Riverside Cemetery and Montford Park retaining wall projects. For the Montford Park project, the discussion centered on the applicant’s decision to replace the entire 165-foot section of the wall rather than just the damaged portion. The Commission discussed the structural necessity of a concrete wall due to the leaning condition of the existing structure and the inability to tie new work into the old foundation. Concerns were raised regarding the potential site disturbance, but the applicant committed to reusing existing stones and employing experienced masons to match the mortar color and craftsmanship of the original wall.

Regarding the solar panel installation at 16 Short Street, the Commission focused on the visibility of the panels from the street and their impact on the historic character of the neighborhood. The applicant argued for the necessity of solar power, citing concerns about grid reliability and outages. In response, the Commission requested a drone shade report and alternative panel configurations to minimize visual impact before making a final decision.

For the 101 Santee Street project, the Commission rejected the initial plan to use Verde block for the retaining wall. A revised plan proposing a poured concrete wall was subsequently approved, subject to conditions regarding landscaping and fence specifications.

Follow-ups Several specific follow-up actions were identified during the meeting:

• The Commission will investigate options for reusing historic stones removed from the cemetery, adhering to FEMA guidelines.
• Staff member Tracy Wyman will work with the Commission to include historic preservation experience criteria in the bid documents for the Montford Park project.
• Staff will review and approve the fence specifications for the 101 Santee Street project.
• Commissioners were tasked with considering nominations for the Historic Resources Commission Award and submitting information within one week.
• The applications for 16 Short Street, 265 Cumberland Avenue, and 9 Kitchin Place were continued to the April 8, 2026 meeting for further review.

Impact These decisions directly affect the physical preservation of historic infrastructure in Asheville. The approval of the retaining wall repairs at Riverside Cemetery and Montford Park addresses safety and structural concerns caused by Hurricane Helene while attempting to maintain the visual integrity of these historic sites. The conditions attached to the approvals, such as the requirement to reuse salvaged stone and match existing materials, reflect the Commission's effort to balance modern structural needs with historic preservation standards. The continuances for the solar panel and storefront projects indicate that the Commission is seeking more detailed information to ensure that modern updates do not compromise the character of the historic districts.