The purpose of the Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission (ABRC) is to recommend to the City and County an overall policy for the continued development and sustainability of the regional riverfront. The Commission provides recommendations to the City and County for effective management of the public resources for the districts, and actively pursues and assists private sector investments in the districts. The Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission assists through cooperative measures to evaluate and represent the recommendations of other organizations, including, but not limited to property owners, merchants, residents, businesses, tenants, non-profits, institutions, as well as other members of the riverfront and regional riverfront district communities.
Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission Documents (meeting materials, annual reports, annual work plans, governing documents, enabling statutes, resolutions, ordinances, etc.)
The Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission consists of fourteen members.
Each appointing body shall ensure that at least one half of their appointees are an owner of real property or an owner of a business in the Regional Riverfront. The Town of Woodfin, having only one appointee, is exempted from the ownership requirement.
The Chairperson for 2025 is Anne Keller.
The regular meetings of the Asheville-Buncombe Riverfront Commission will remain meeting as needed until June 30, 2027, unless noticed otherwise. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. Special meetings may occur if a board needs to meet regarding Helene-related or pressing matters.
Members of boards that are meeting on an as-needed basis have the following pathways to propose new tasks that have not been directed by City Council:
Ask their board’s representative on the Helene Recovery Boards to present the idea to their respective Recovery Board.
Communicate the idea to a Council Committee.
Communicate the idea to City Council.
Ask their board chair to present the idea to the department director who provides support to their board (e.g., Urban Forestry Master Plan, Arts & Culture Plan, Home Repair, Resilience Hubs, etc.).
No upcoming meeting information found.
To view more upcoming Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission events, visit the Events Calendar.
Public Access:
Public Comment:
Written Public Comments: Pre-submitted written public comments may be emailed to U5411@PublicInput.com (closes at 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting).
In-Person Comments: Comments will be limited to 3 minutes for individuals and 10 minutes for a group’s primary spokesperson (requires three individuals to cede their time to a fourth person – all four people must be present at the meeting).
Rules of Procedure
Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission Enabling Ordinance
WHAT IS RIVER DISTRICT DESIGN REVIEW?
River District Design Review includes architectural review of all construction work requiring building, sign, demolition, zoning permits, and variance requests within the River District.
The purpose of design review is to preserve and enhance the character of the area, to protect existing and create new unique sites and structures, and to encourage investments that will increase pedestrian connections and density while promoting and managing the riparian areas of local rivers.
Anyone planning construction work in the River District must have their proposal reviewed by Planning and Development Department staff for alignment with River District Design Guidelines and the broader themes of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Master Plan. While review is mandatory, compliance with feedback and suggestions is voluntary.
Renovation, rehabilitation, and construction that promotes visual harmony, enhances the historical integrity of the area, and recognizes environmental constraints is encouraged by the review process.
Parcels Requiring Design Review
River District Design Review Guidelines
River District Tree and Shrub Guidelines-
French Broad Tree and Riparian Enhancement Plan
Wilma Dykeman Riverway Master Plan
Riverfront Drive Master Plan
Contact the City of Asheville’s Planning & Urban Design Department staff prior to making an application to discuss the proposed plans and determine what information is required for submission at (828) 259-5846. You must submit materials in advance of your meeting. Contact Will Palmquist for more information
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Annual Report 2020
Annual Report 2019
Annual Report 2018
Annual Report 2017
Annual Report 2016
Annual Report 2015
Annual Report 2014
Annual Report 2013
Annual Report 2012
For older Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission materials, please visit the Asheville Buncombe Riverfront Commission Documents folder. To watch older recordings, you may view them on the Engagement Hub.
Code Purple in effect December 3-5
