Boards and Commissions

Have you ever wanted to make a difference? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?” Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? Do you want to be a part of the body that is responsible for making decisions regarding policy, service and education? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time to take that initial step forward and put your perspective, leadership and knowledge to task by serving on one of the many committees we have to offer.  Please note that appointees to boards and commissions shall be residents of the City of Asheville, unless otherwise specified or provided for by law or Council action.

Through a variety of boards and commissions established by Asheville City Council, members of the public may provide input on the policies that shape their government and their city. There are currently more than 30 boards and commissions that advise the Mayor and City Council on a array of issues.

Board members and commissioners generally serve as unpaid volunteers, but the rewards can be gratifying: members meet other residents with similar interests, they learn about the city, and they help shape the future of Asheville. Being on a board or commission does require a significant personal commitment, however, so applicants should consider their ability to commit their time and personal energy before applying.

Additional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for anyone considering serving on a City board or commission.

Regular Committee Meeting Schedules – updated December 2022 – Subject to change and public notice requirements. 

City Engagement Hub: Online home for Committee meetings and public participation

Want to be notified when new vacancies are announced?
Contact boards@ashevillenc.gov to be added to the distribution list.

Want to learn more about the proposal to realign Boards and Commissions and the various ways to participate? Visit the project page, here


 
Advertised Vacancies for Members –  Updated Vacancy_Aug/Oct 2023   Espanol

 

CURRENT VACANCIES 

Application deadline of September 17 at 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Consideration of appointments with September 17 deadline 

are scheduled for October 10, 2023 Council Meeting, unless otherwise noted.

 

NEIGHBORHOOD ADVISORY COMMITTEE – The current vacancy is for a representative that resides in the 28801 zip code; please indicate zip code on application. The committee was established to advise City Council on neighborhood needs within the City of Asheville’s zoning and planning jurisdiction. The committee works to strengthen neighborhood identity and resilience by facilitating communication and cooperation between Asheville’s neighborhoods and City offices. The committee also works on special projects as assigned or directed by City Council.

NOISE ADVISORY BOARD(The current openings are for representative of the restaurant industry,  one acoustic engineering or related field professional, and one residential representative for central, west, or north area.) The Board is advisory to the Council and shall meet when called upon. Duties include 1) Evaluate the effectiveness of Ordinance No. 4390 regarding Noise Regulation and related city policies with the goal of developing recommendations regarding amendments, additions, or deletions; 2) Evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement of this article, including but not limited to response times, compliance rates, distribution of complaints, and ensuring equitable outcomes; 3) Propose long-term objectives for achieving reduction of sound levels in the community, and propose means for implementing such objectives; 4) Develop rules relative to the conduct of its meetings in accordance with City rules and policies governing advisory boards and commissions.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION(extended deadline is September 17. Please note interviews may be required).  The Commission is an advisory board to City Council and shall (1) review all new text for proposed amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), and proposals to zone or change the zoning of all property regulated under the UDO and to make recommendations to City probable future development of the City and its environs, including, but not limited to, studies and surveys of land uses, population, traffic, parking, and redevelopment needs; (3) formulate and recommend to City Council the adoption or amendment of a comprehensive plan and other plans, as necessary, for the City and its environs ; (4) review the terms of the UDO from time to time, as it deems appropriate, and to recommend to City Council any changes that the Commission considers necessary to regulate properly the development and use of land, buildings and structures; (5) review applications for planned unit development designation and the preliminary plans for such planned unit developments and to make recommendations to City Council for final action thereon; and (6) review and decide on approval of all proposed preliminary plats of major subdivisions.

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TRANSIT COMMITTEE- Notice: This vacancy is open until filled.  The Committee functions as an advisory board to the Multimodal Transportation Commission and to City staff on matters affecting the transit system and its operation.  The Transit Committees consists of at least seven members and up to eleven members. All Transit Committee members are appointed by the Multimodal Transportation Commission. The terms of office are three years.  Notice: For an application form, click HERE, or contact Amber Wagner for more information. 

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Application Process

On March 14, 2023 the Boards and Commissions Council Committee approved changing the Council Appointment process from monthly to four to five times per year. The extended time-frame allows for longer advertising of board vacancies and more time for review of the applications before appointments are made by City Council. 

Appointments will be made 4-5 times a year, as noted below: 

Summer Cycle:  Fall Cycle: (current) Winter Cycle: Spring Cycle: 

Advertise: March 15

Deadline for applications: April 30 

Council Appointments: June 13

Advertise: June 14

Deadline for applications: August 27

Council Appointments: October 10 

Advertise: October 11

Deadline for applications: TBD

Council Appointments:  January 2024

Advertise: January 2024

Deadline for applications: TBD

Council Appointments: April 2024

* Tentative schedule, subject to changes. 

For Prospective Applications

First, determine which board or commission interests you. Board and commission meetings are open to the public, so potential applicants are encouraged to sit in on monthly meetings. Meeting dates, times and locations vary, and are available on individual web pages.  Interested volunteers must submit an application form to be considered. 

Application:

Complete an application by filling out the board or commission application form. 

After your application is received, you will receive a receipt of application e-mail from the City Clerk’s Office. If you do not receive that receipt within a day after submittal, please contact boards@ashevillenc.gov to make sure that your application has reached the City Clerk’s Office.

Qualifications:

City residents are given preference; however,  Council may appoint a non-City resident to some hard-to-fill seats or seats requiring special skills or expertise unless otherwise specified or provided for by law or Council action.

Notice: Once an application is received, the city will place your name on the resource list for the particular board. Applications are held on file for consideration for one year. If you are not appointed within a year, you would need to resubmit an application for further consideration.

Interview:

When vacancies occur, the City Council will review the resource list and may schedule interviews. You will be contacted directly if it is necessary for you to interview for an appointment.

Want to learn more? See the FAQ’s for Interested Volunteers, here. 

 


NOTE: Please visit Committee page for next meeting specifics.

City Managed Boards and Commissions Meeting Information

Board and Commission

Meeting Information

Contact

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 9:30 a.m., on the first Thursday of the month at City Hall, in conference room 623 located on floor 6. Sasha Vrtunski
828-259-5560
African American Heritage Commission This meeting takes place at 4:30 p.m., on the second Thursday of every-other month. Meetings are held on odd months.  Meetings are virtual.

Brenda Mills 

828-232-4517

Asheville City Council Formal Meetings

Asheville City Council Agenda Briefing Work Sessions 

This meeting takes place at 5:00 p.m., on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at City Hall, in the Council Chamber located on floor 2. These meetings are in-person. 

Agenda Briefing Work Sessions are held the Thursday before the Council Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the First Floor Conference Rm of City Hall. These meetings are in-person. 

Maggie Burleson
828-259-5601
Asheville Regional Housing Consortium This meeting takes place on an as needed basis. Christina Harris
828-232-4599
Audit Committee
This meeting takes place at 3:00 p.m., on a quarterly schedule throughout the year. Meetings are virtual. Tony McDowell
828-259-5586
Board of Adjustment 
This meeting takes place at 2:00 p.m., on the fourth Monday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room.

Sam Starr-Baum

828-259-5674

Board of Electrical Examiners This meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m., on the first Tuesday of the month for January, April, July, and October at Public Works Room A109 located at 161 South Charlotte Street. Jim Hayes
828-778-0772
Board and Commissions Committee 
(City Council Committee)
This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m., on the second Tuesday of the month.  Meetings are virtual. Sarah Gross
828-259-5839
Citizen-Police Advisory Committee
Not currently meeting. Samantha Booth
828-259-5813
Civic Center Commission This meeting takes place at noon on the first Tuesday of the month in the Banquet Hall at Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville located at 87 Haywood Street. Chris Corl -828-259-5452
ccorl@ashevillenc.gov 
Civil Service Board This meeting takes place at 2:30 p.m. on the 1st Thursday of each month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. 

Shannon Barrett

828-774-8564

Community Reparations Commission This meeting takes place at 6:00 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center Banquet Hall – 87 Haywood Street.

Brenda Mills

(828) 232-4517

Design Review Committee This meeting takes place at 12:15 p.m. the third Thursday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. 

Will Palmquist

828-259-5525

Downtown Commission This meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Friday of the month. Meetings are in-person.

Dana Frankel

828-273-5248

Environment and Safety

(City Council Committee)

This meeting takes place at 10:00 a.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual. 

Allison James

828-251-4064

Equity and Engagement 

(City Council Committee) 

This meeting takes place at 1:00 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual.

Katie Noun

828-259-5721

Firemen’s Local Relief Fund This meeting takes place at 9:00 a.m., in February and September. Meetings are at the Wells Fargo Bank Building. David Anders
828-255-8650
Historic Resources Commission This meeting takes place at 4:00 p.m.,  on the Second Wednesday of the month at City Hall, first floor North Conference Room. Alex Cole
828-259-5638
Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 9 a.m., on the last Friday of the month. Location TBD. Emily Ball
828-747-8510
Housing and Community Development
(City Council Committee)
This meeting takes place at 10:00 a.m., on the third Tuesday of the month. Meetings are virtual.

Katie Noun

828-259-5721

Human Relations Commission of Asheville This meeting takes place at 6 p.m., on the  third Thursday every other month at City Hall, first floor North Conference Room.

Alayna Schmidt

828-232-4595

Mountain Community Capital Fund This meeting takes place the 1st Friday of each month. Meetings are virtual.

Frank McGowan

828-259-5811

Multimodal Transportation Commission This meeting takes place at 3 p.m., on the fourth Wednesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room.

Nicole Hart

828-259-5402

Neighborhood Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 6 p.m., on the fourth Monday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room. Kristina Israel
828-712-4229
Noise Advisory Board This meeting takes place at 1 p.m. on the 2nd Monday quarterly. Meetings are virtual.

Haley Mahoney/Todd Justice

828-259-5587

Planning and Economic Development
(City Council Committee)
This meeting takes place at 4 p.m., on the second Monday of the month. Meetings are virtual.

Katie Noun

828-259-5721

Planning and Zoning Commission This meeting takes place at 5 p.m., on the first Wednesday of the month at City Hall, in the first floor North Conference Room.

Will Palmquist

828-259-5525

Policy, Finance and HR Committee

(City Council Committee) 

This meeting takes place at 10:00 a.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  Meetings are virtual. 

Allison James

828-251-4064

Public Art and Cultural Commission  This meeting takes place at 4 p.m., on the third Thursday every other month. Meetings are virtual. Karli Stephenson
828-259-5627
Recreation Board Not currently meeting. Recreation Department
Riverfront Redevelopment Commission This meeting takes place at 4 p.m., on the second Thursday of each month. Meetings are virtual.  Stephanie Monson Dahl
828-337-4111
Soil Erosion/Stormwater Review Committee This meeting takes place on an as needed basis. Amy Deyton
828-259-5547
Sustainability Advisory Committee This meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m., on the third Wednesday every other month. Meetings are virtual. Bridget Herring
828-259-5558
Urban Forestry Commission This meeting takes place at 1 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings are virtual.

Nancy Watford

828-259-5404

  For meeting information on other Boards or Commissions not managed by the City, but to which City Council appoints members or liaisons, please visit the specific Board or Commission website.  

 


Resource Pages

 

Remote Meeting Policy for Advisory BoardsAdopted September 2022

2022-2023 Meeting & Contact Information – Updated December 2022

Meeting Rules of Decorum: Public Comment

Ethics Policy for Advisory BoardsAdopted June 2021

Orientation Handbook

 Chair Manual

New Member Orientation Video 2021

Rules on Boards & Commissions

FAQ’s for Interested Volunteers

Annual Reports – 2022

Annual Reports – 2021

Annual Reports- 2020

Annual Reports – 2019

Annual Reports- 2018

 

 


Contact Information

General questions: boards@ashevillenc.gov 

If members of the public are interested in being on an e-mail list to receive information of activities of particular boards on a particular board, they will need to contact the individual staff contact.

 


 

 

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