# Design Review Committee – October 15, 2026

The City of Asheville Design Review Committee met on October 15, 2026, to review development proposals in designated design review areas. No procurement activity, contract awards, vendor selections, or spending approvals were identified. The committee recommended approval of Phase Two of Hellbender at 155 Thompson Street, subject to staff continuing to monitor pedestrian and vehicle traffic. It also recommended approval of the Buncombe County EMS regional station at 40 McCormick Place, conditioned on required street trees and compliance with applicable city requirements. Public comment raised concerns about noise and pedestrian safety near Hellbender; the committee noted that noise enforcement was outside the design review’s scope.

For the Drury Biltmore Station Hotel conditional-zoning proposal, the committee approved a recommendation with conditions addressing greenway alignment and connectivity, sidewalks, building placement and design, usable open space, additional landscaping, and practicable resilient stormwater measures. The committee also held an informal review of a proposed 524-unit residential development at 120 Swannanoa River Road, with 753 parking spaces. Members discussed flood safety and evacuation, stormwater management, greenway access, tree preservation, open-space programming, and building design. The proposal was expected to return for formal review, likely at the November 19 meeting; no vote was taken on the informal review.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 15, 2026

### Sources
- [Design Review Committee – October 15, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7fwXtwCsyM) - City of Asheville