City of Asheville boards & commissions vacancies

Press release from City of Asheville

The City of Asheville has various openings on various committees. Do you want to have a voice in the City’s growth and future? If yes, take that initial step forward and put your perspective, leadership and knowledge to task by serving on one of the many committees the City has to offer.

Please visit the City’s Boards and Commissions webpage for a Boards and Commissions Application or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 259-5839 or by email to boards@ashevillenc.gov.

CURRENT VACANCIES

Application deadline is Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted Consideration of these appointments are scheduled for the January 9, 2024 Council meeting.

ASHEVILLE-BUNCOMBE RIVERFRONT COMMISSION – APPLICANTS MUST SPECIFY ON THEIR APPLICATION IF THEY ARE A PROPERTY OR BUSINESS OWNER IN THE RIVERFRONT DISTRICT AND IF SO, PROVIDE BUSINESS NAME AND ADDRESS. – The Commission shall (1) Develop and recommend to the City and other appointing board partners a comprehensive vision and strategy as mat be deemed appropriate for the Riverfront District and Regional Riverfront Corridors. (2) Recommend appropriate land and transportation development policies for the Riverfront District and Regional Riverfront corridors. (3) Recommend the potential positive and negative impacts of proposed development within the River District Review Area, as referenced in subsection 7-5-18 of the City’s Unified Development Ordinance. (SEE ORDINANCE NO. 5040 for full list of purposes and duties.)

BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT – The Board functions as a quasi-judicial board to (1) hear and decides applications for approval of variances from the terms of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), except where the UDO places responsibility for hearing or considering such a variance with another body; (2) hear and decide appeals from any order, requirement, permit, decision, or determination issued or made by an administrative officer of the City in enforcing any provisions of the UDO; (3) services as the City’s Housing Code Appeals Board; and (4) performs such additional powers and duties as may be set forth elsewhere in the UDO and in other laws and regulations.

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE – The Design Review Committee was created to perform design review for all major works in the River District Design Review area, the Central Business District, and hotels outside of those areas. City Council appoints all nine (9) members of the Design Review Committee, with three members selected from the Downtown Commission, three members selected Page 1 of 3 from the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission (AARRC), and the remaining three members appointed at-large. The strongest applicants will have demonstrated special interest, experience or education in architecture, historic preservation, landscape architecture, urban planning or related fields. Preference will be given to applicants who represent at least one of the following: persons with disabilities, transit users, and/or seniors.

DOWNTOWN COMMISSION – (The Commission was established for the sustainability and continued development of downtown, a vital urban center of western North Carolina’s economic, cultural and visitor activity. The Commission’s purposes include: (1) recommend to City Council an overall policy for the continued development and sustainability of downtown; (2) provide recommendations for effective management of the public resources for downtown and actively pursue and assist private sector investment in the downtown area for the welfare of the citizens of Asheville; (3) carry out the powers and duties assigned to the Commission regarding downtown design review; and (4) cooperate with and evaluate and represent the recommendations of other organizations.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF CITY OF ASHEVILLE (HACA) – (This is a Mayoral appointment will not come before Council. Application deadline is 5 p.m. November 15, 2023.) The Commissioners are the policy-makers and governing body of the Housing Authority. They review and approve all budgets for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, approve plans and specifications, award contracts and appoint the Executive Director.

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION OF ASHEVILLE – Duties of the commission include, but are not limited to: (1) Make policy recommendations to the City Council which promote and improve human relations and advance equity in the City; (2) Support the City’s Office of Equity and Inclusion; (3) Provide a forum where residents can raise issues and complaints relating to human relations in the City; (4) Engage the community regarding the utilization of City-funded programs and policies for the promotion of human relations; and (5) Promote and improve human relations and advance equity in the following areas: public safety; educational, art and cultural opportunities; economic development; health and human services; and housing.

METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT – The members oversee the operation of the Metropolitan Sewerage District, as well as holding hearings on issues at hand.

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 opening is for representative of the restaurant industry. Please include this experience on your application.) 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 Page 2 of 3 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.

PUBLIC ART AND CULTURAL COMMISSION – The Commission is responsible for promoting and maintaining art displays in public buildings and public spaces in the City of Asheville. In addition, the Commission (1) facilitates public art in public buildings and public spaces; (2) engages the creative sector as a major attraction for artists, cultural tourism and economic development; (3) encourages public confidence for and appreciation of the arts in Asheville; (4) works to build partnerships and collaborations throughout Asheville’s creative community; and (5) aids in strengthening the organizational structure of public and cultural arts delivery. The Public Art and Cultural Commission shall follow its Public Art Policy and Implementation Guidelines as modified and/or amended every five years, and (6) recommends to City Council the acceptance of works of art.

SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE – This Committee is responsible for developing and recommending policy to support topics such as sustainable energy, waste reduction, sustainable economic development and land use planning. The committee consists of nine Asheville City residents that are appointed by City Council. The term of office is three years.

URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSION – The purpose of the Urban Forestry Commission is to foster the preservation, planting, replacement and removal of trees without denying the reasonable use and enjoyment of real property. The Commission’s responsibilities include: facilitate the planting, growth and protection of trees within the City; foster the communication and coordination among the citizens of the City that would provide the needed support for protection of trees within the City; conduct continuing research, planning and feasibility assessments required to support the purposes of the Commission; and work with City staff to promote and enforce Chapter 20 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Asheville regarding the regulation of planting, protection, preservation and removal of trees.

TRANSIT COMMITTEE – Notice: This vacancy is open until filled. The Committee functions as an advisory board to the Multimodal Transportation Commission and to the 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.