Locunity/Asheville, NC·Other
Joint city-county historic preservation and design review body. Created in 1979 through local ordinances adopted by both the City of Asheville and Buncombe County pursuant to NC General Statutes. The joint commission consists of twelve members, with six appointments from each jurisdiction. Reviews development projects and proposed subdivisions within local historic districts and local landmarks for consistency with applicable design standards. Also a Certified Local Government under the National Historic Preservation Act.
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Recent updates from Governing Board
Members questioned an under-filled executive committee and bylaws on chair succession, while the chair said she will decide in a couple of weeks.
Why it matters: The commission says it is short three members and has only two executive committee members, raising governance questions for a body handling frequent quasi-judicial reviews.
Annie McDonald urged commissioners to learn about Senate Bill 5653 and proposed ACHP rule changes that she says would weaken federal consultation protecting historic places.
Why it matters: Section 106 gives local preservation advocates a seat at the table, and the Senate may vote on the bill in November, though she said that is unconfirmed.
HRC approved rebuilding brick sidewalks on concrete bases, ADA ramps, granite curbs and bulb-outs, removing 23 trees and planting 11, with construction targeted for 2027.
Why it matters: The project, funded by a $2.49 million state grant that must be spent by October 2028, reshapes pedestrian safety and tree canopy in the district.
The commission approved repairs, a bay window on a non-original addition and stucco over plastic brick, after the applicant dropped a second bay window and agreed to keep the full-width stair.
Why it matters: The case illustrates how bay-window standards limit changes when original windows or trim would be removed.
HRC approved porch glazing with a railing-height divider, a raised rear door with wood ADA ramp and a screened rooftop unit, pending revised drawings.
Why it matters: The deal preserves a reading of the original Richard Sharp Smith porch while adding accessibility to a storm-damaged commercial cottage.
A 200-square-foot painted mural over a layered ghost sign was continued to November as members weighed sign limits, a 1924 deed covenant and preservation guidance.
Why it matters: The ruling will set precedent on whether welcome 'murals' escape sign limits in a 1988-guideline district, and staff warned painting over ghost signs conflicts with preservation guidance.
HRC approved widened sidewalk, black metal dining furniture, bike racks and trash screening at the Biltmore Village depot, conditioned on staff receiving the enclosure width.
Why it matters: The depot's reopening is a post-Helene recovery milestone, and merchants want a uniform furniture prototype for the village.
Chair outlined the commission's quasi-judicial limits and swore in witnesses, while a member urged attaching verbatim transcripts to minutes.
Why it matters: Decisions must rest on sworn, fact-based evidence, and a member says short minutes under-record opponents' testimony in contested cases.
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Ghost-Sign Mural Stalls as Biltmore Village Recovery Projects Advance Asheville's Historic Resources Commission spent nearly an hour on Oct. 14, 2026, debating whether a 200-square-foot painted "welcome" over a century-...
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Cathedral of All Souls Wins 5-Foot Fence Over Staff Objection Asheville's Historic Resources Commission let the Cathedral of All Souls build a taller security fence and cheaper, flood-raised mechanical platforms. To do...
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