Board OKs special‑use permit to allow weddings at Asheville River Cabins with limits and safety conditions

The Buncombe County Board of Adjustment approved a special‑use permit permitting weddings and related events at Asheville River Cabins, a travel‑trailer ‘‘glamping’’ resort in Arden, restricted to guests and subject to a series of conditions intended to address public‑safety and environmental concerns.

Staff presented ZPH2025‑00008, saying the 8.72‑acre property at 318 Wanderlust Ridge is zoned Public Service and is partially in the floodplain. Savannah Glantz, presenting for staff, told the board the requested commercial service classification would allow weddings or events but recommended conditions to address access, safety and environmental controls. Glantz noted that events with more than 100 people would require a special‑event permit from the Buncombe County Fire Marshal and that tents over 800 square feet must be separately permitted.

Attorney Bob Oost and owner Brett Turner described Asheville River Cabins as an operating travel‑trailer nightly‑rental facility that the owner markets as a glamping resort. Turner said the property has been operated since February 2021 and that improvements added 30 rental units with an expected build‑out of 43. He said the River Lodge amenity and a community green near the river are the likely locations for any ceremonies, and that most wedding guests typically stay on site.

Oost emphasized the requested permit was “limited to weddings and including, ceremonies and receptions” for guests of the travel‑trailer park, and that the operation is not a full‑time commercial wedding venue. Turner told the board: “Most of our wedding parties don’t have a ceremony on‑site. Most of them are just parties that rent out cabins, and then they have a wedding at the church down the road.” He added that when ceremonies occur they typically use the community green in front of the River Lodge.

The board asked staff and the applicant questions about floodplain exposure, septic and waste handling, and food service. Glantz and the applicant confirmed environmental health and the county floodplain administrator had reviewed the site; Glantz also agreed on the record to revise a staff condition to require approval (not just notification) from MSD Pretreatment for any on‑site food preparation.

The board adopted written findings that the proposed limited commercial use would not adversely affect health and safety, public welfare, or surrounding properties if the stated conditions are met. The order records conditions the board included on the record: events must be limited to guests of the travel‑trailer park; events with more than 100 people require a special‑events permit from the Fire Marshal; any tent over 800 square feet requires a Fire Marshal permit; any on‑site food preparation during events must receive approval from MSD Pretreatment regarding fats, oils and grease; the project must be constructed as depicted in the site plan; and prior to land‑disturbing activity the applicant must submit a full site development plan showing building locations, lighting, buffering, retaining walls, easements, and approved E‑911 road names.

The applicant agreed in writing to the conditions before work begins. The board approved the special‑use permit by voice vote and directed staff to prepare a formal order for signature.

The condition that events be limited to guests was stated on the record; the applicant told the board he would cap attendance at 100 guests and that additional parking is limited to roughly 10–12 spaces beyond on‑site cabin parking, so most attendees would be staying on the property.