Do you want to have a voice in the City of Asheville’s growth and future? Have you wondered, “Can the City benefit from my experience and knowledge?”
If you’ve answered yes to these questions, here are some opportunities for you to get involved and provide local leadership. The City of Asheville has openings on six committees and commissions.
The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Dec. 17. You can download an application here.
For more information, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 828-259-5839 or sterwilliger@ashevillenc.gov. You can also visit the Boards and Commissions webpage on the City of Asheville website.
Current openings
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE — Some duties of the Committee include: (1) to consider affordable housing policy issues and advise City leadership about those policies; (2) to develop concrete action steps to implement the highest priorities of the Affordable Housing Plan, and to update that Plan as appropriate over time; and (3) to advise City leadership and staff regarding affordable housing priorities for the investment of City-controlled funds.
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.
BOARD OF ELECTRICAL EXAMINERS — The members of the Board examine applicants for licenses for the transaction of other related business.
CITIZENS-POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEE — There are two current vacancies on the committee: 1) must be a Housing Authority property resident; and 2) must be a representative from the South district. Please indicate residence on application form. Duties include, but are not limited to: (1) serving as liaison between the police and community over concern; (2) to mediate problems or conflicts; (3) to serve as an advocate for programs, ideas, and methods to improve the relationship between the police and the community; and (4) to disseminate information to the community and to the government officials in Asheville.
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.
METROPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT BOARD — The members oversee the operation of the Metropolitan Sewerage District, as well as holding hearings on issues at hand.
RIVERFRONT AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION — The current vacancy is for a Design Professional. Please indicate experience on application form. The Commission shall (1) recommend to the City and County an overall policy for the continued development and sustainability of the regional riverfront; (2) provide recommendations to the City and County for effective management of the public resources for the districts; (3) actively pursue and assist private sector investment in the districts; and (4) cooperate with, evaluate and represent the recommendations of other organizations, including, but not limited to, property owners, merchants, residents, businesses, tenants, non-profits, institutions and other members of the riverfront and regional riverfront district communities.
SUSTAINABLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (SACEE) — This Committee will undertake initiatives, at a City level and participate in the larger community and regional discussions, to improve the environment, encourage green development, and support the development of a healthy community.
TREE COMMISSION — The purpose of the Tree Commission is to foster the preservation, planting, replacement and removal of trees without denying the reasonable use and enjoyment of real property.