City Clerk

The Downtown Commission provides City Council with recommendations on downtown policies and programs. In addition, Downtown Commissioners fill 3 out of 9 seats of the City’s Design Review Committee, which reviews development projects within the Central Business District, the River Arts District and hotel projects outside of those areas. The Downtown Commission provides input on development projects outside of the scope of Design Review, including impacts related to land use, economic development, parking, public space, safety, sustainability, etc. 

View current members and board composition requirements here

Downtown Commission Establishing Ordinance

Regular Meeting Schedule

(See Special Notices Below)

The Downtown Commission meets in-person on the 4th Friday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the first floor conference room of City Hall (70 Court Plaza). The typical length of each meeting is 1-2 hours. All meetings are live streamed on the City’s YouTube Channel and the Downtown Commission’s Public Input Page. 

Voicemail and written comments may be submitted before 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting and will be provided to Downtown Commission members prior to the meeting. The email address for public comments is AVLdowntowncommission@publicinput.com.

More information about submitting public comments in advance of the meeting is available here. Public comments during the meeting can only be made in-person. (In-person public comment opportunities are not currently available for virtual meetings.)

Have an issue with participating in a board or commission meeting, in person or virtually? Use this form to let us know!

Upcoming Meetings & Special Notices

NOTICE (as of April 2025): All regular meetings of advisory boards staffed by City employees will continue to remain on pause through June 2025, including Downtown Commission. Boards and Commissions will relaunch in phases beginning in July 2025, with some resuming earlier based on readiness and recovery priorities. This page will be updated as new information becomes available. Special meetings may occur if boards need to meet regarding Helene-related or pressing matters. 

All City quasi-judicial boards staffed by City employees resumed their regular meeting schedules on January 1, 2025.

To receive Downtown Commission meeting notices and agendas by email, please contact Dana Frankel at dfrankel@ashevillenc.gov. Contact Dana or Clay Mitchell (cmitchell@ashevillenc.gov) with questions.