Design Review Committee (In-Person) (Jun 18, 2025)

Design Review Committee Meeting Recap: June 18, 2025

The City of Asheville’s Design Review Committee met on June 18, 2025, to conduct formal design reviews for four development projects located within the city’s designated design areas, including the downtown core, riverfront, and hotel overlay districts. The meeting, held in City Hall, focused on evaluating these proposals against the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and Downtown Design Guidelines to ensure they align with the city’s vision for a vibrant and welcoming environment.

Administrative Actions and Leadership Elections The committee began by approving the minutes from its previous meetings on April 17, 2025, and May 1, 2025. Following this, the body held elections for its leadership positions. Christina Roush was re-elected as Chair, and Bryan Moffitt was elected as Vice-Chair, with both positions confirmed by unanimous votes.

Project Reviews and Decisions The bulk of the meeting was dedicated to the formal review of four projects, with the committee voting on recommendations for each:

• 161 Church St – Churchill Condominiums (Level II): The committee recommended approval with conditions for this proposed nine-story, 47-unit residential building. Discussions centered on enhancing the streetscape, including the addition of planters, street trees, and street furniture to improve the pedestrian experience along Church Street. The committee also emphasized the need to minimize impervious surfaces and considered the potential for green roofs for stormwater management.
• 297 Haywood Street – The Respite (Level I): The committee recommended approval for the renovation and expansion of the existing Haywood Street Congregation building to serve as a shelter. The project involves adding a one-story structure and renovating the lower level to provide 12 bedrooms and support spaces. Staff noted that while the project aligns with design guidelines, further investigation is needed regarding sidewalk widening and street tree requirements due to existing vegetation and right-of-way constraints.
• 29 Page Avenue (Level I): The committee approved the renovation of this property, which involves converting the upper floor into four residential units while maintaining ground-floor retail use. Staff reported that the project respects the building’s character and complies with downtown design guidelines.
• 14 O’Henry Ave (Major Work): The committee recommended approval with conditions for the exterior rehabilitation of this building, which currently houses Citizen Vinyl. The primary change involves converting a former loading dock into a storefront entrance. A specific condition was attached requiring the design to adjust window openings to align with existing building joints to maintain the structure's historic character.

Discussion Highlights Throughout the reviews, committee members repeatedly emphasized the importance of creating a pedestrian-friendly environment and enhancing the streetscape, particularly along high-traffic areas like Church Street. There was significant debate regarding material choices, with members expressing a preference for authentic materials that reflect Asheville’s historic character. For the Churchill Condominiums, discussions included balancing design guidelines with practical considerations, such as maintaining business access and addressing existing infrastructure. The committee also focused on accessibility and safety, ensuring that design changes do not obstruct visibility or safe pedestrian access, particularly in areas with loading docks.

Next Steps The projects approved or recommended for approval with conditions will move forward to the next stage of the approval process, incorporating the committee’s requested changes. Specifically, the Churchill Condominiums project is scheduled for a ministerial site plan review by the Planning & Zoning Commission on July 2, 2025. No public comment was recorded in the meeting summary, and no specific follow-up actions were explicitly agreed to by members or staff beyond the standard progression of the approval process.