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

Design Review Committee Meeting Recap – September 18, 2025

On September 18, 2025, the Design Review Committee (DRC) convened in person at 12:30 p.m. in the First Floor North Conference Room of City Hall, Asheville, NC, to review two proposed projects and approve prior meeting minutes. The meeting, which concluded at 1:28 p.m., was attended by five of the nine committee members: Chair Christina Roush, Vice-Chair Bryan Moffitt, Jeremy Goldstein, Ricardo Seijo, and one additional member (attendance records indicate absences for Thomas McLaughlin, Kathryn Ancaya, Steven Lee Johnson, Michael McDonough, and Robin Raines). Despite the partial attendance, a quorum was achieved, allowing all agenda items to proceed. The meeting opened with administrative business and included public comment periods for both projects under review.

The committee first approved the minutes from its August 21, 2025 meeting by unanimous vote (5-0), following a motion by Jeremy Goldstein and seconding by Vice-Chair Bryan Moffitt. The agenda then moved to two formal design reviews: the proposed rebuild of a Wendy’s restaurant at 50 Ashland Avenue and the installation of a temporary inline hockey rink at 776 Biltmore Avenue. Both projects underwent Level I design review, with committee members evaluating architectural compatibility, pedestrian access, stormwater management, and long-term urban design implications. Public comments were solicited during each review segment, with no objections raised.

For the Wendy’s rebuild at 50 Ashland Avenue — a post-Hurricane Helene recovery project — the committee commended the applicant for reducing impervious surfaces, maintaining ADA-compliant access, and using appropriate architectural materials. However, members recommended several enhancements: shifting the building setback back 3–4 feet to improve pedestrian flow and reduce its “wall-like” presence; replacing temporary landscaping with durable, native street trees (minimum 42” caliper) to ensure long-term urban forestry benefits; and incorporating biofiltration swales along the north edge of the site to manage stormwater runoff. The committee also suggested relocating the grease interceptor for better site flow and strengthening pedestrian connectivity to the nearby bus stop. The project was approved unanimously (5-0), with these recommendations noted as conditions for future compliance.

The second project — a temporary City-operated inline hockey rink at 776 Biltmore Avenue on former parking lot land — drew significant discussion due to its ambiguous duration and potential for future permanent development. Although classified as temporary, the committee emphasized that it must be reviewed with permanence in mind because no definitive end date exists. Members urged the Parks & Recreation Department to integrate permanent urban design elements now, including durable street trees and vegetated biofiltration along the riverbank to improve water quality and aesthetics. Concerns were raised about isolated pedestrian access from Biltmore Avenue, with recommendations to create a clearly marked, safe walkway and improve visibility near the bus stop. The committee also advised designing railings and ramps with durability and architectural integrity in mind, and to consider “pop-up” nursery plantings on other city properties to support future landscaping. The rink project was approved unanimously (5-0), with explicit encouragement to embed long-term design values into what is currently a temporary initiative.

Key takeaways from the meeting centered on the committee’s consistent emphasis on resilient, permanent infrastructure over temporary fixes — particularly in areas recovering from natural disasters. The DRC reinforced its stance that even short-term projects should contribute to long-term urban health through thoughtful planting, stormwater management, and pedestrian connectivity. Action items were issued to the City’s Parks & Recreation Department and project applicant Alan Crees, requiring revisions to landscape plans, consideration of building setbacks, and development of a long-term vision for the Biltmore site. The next meeting will include further review of River District projects and potential updates on Asheville Transit expansion. For full documentation, visit the DRC’s webpage at ashevillenc.gov/drc.