Mills River public meetings in 2025

Town Council

The council will open with a call to order by Mayor Gonce. A round‑table discussion will be held with the Town Manager and Planning Director about the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) project. The meeting will include a work session focused on the UDO project. No other agenda items are listed.

• Round‑table discussion on the UDO project with Town Manager and Planning Director
• Work session focused on the UDO project

Town Council

The Town Council will discuss whether to submit a Helene Recovery Fund PARTF grant application to rebuild and upgrade the damaged kayak/boat launch and parking area. Two project scopes are presented: a full $614,600 design that adds ADA access, expanded parking, picnic areas and a rain garden, and a reduced $468,300 design that minimizes the flood‑way footprint. The grant requires a 50/50 match, with an application deadline of January 28, 2026 and award anticipated in March 2026. A separate discussion on Blue Ridge ABC is also on the agenda.

• Decision on pursuing PARTF Helene Recovery Fund grant for kayak launch reconstruction (full $614,600 or reduced $468,300)
• Proposed ADA‑accessible launch, expanded parking, picnic area, concrete yard games, and flood‑resilient rain garden
• Application deadline: January 28, 2026; award expected March 2026, with a 50% town match
• Option 1: full project cost $614,600; Option 2: minimized floodway footprint cost $468,300
• Blue Ridge ABC discussion item

Town Council

The Town Council will consider several resolutions, including designating HomeTrust Bank as an official depository for a procurement card program. The meeting includes a presentation on the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) and an audit presentation.

• Resolution 2025-40: Authorizing HomeTrust Bank as an official depository
• Resolution 2025-41: Approval of Young Offices as sole source vendor for Town Hall offices upfit
• Ordinance 2025-25: FEMA Budget Amendment
• Resolution 2025-42: Donation of surplus equipment to Mills River Elementary
• UDO presentation by Michael Malecek, Chad Meadows, and Karen Mallo

Land Preservation Committee

The Land Preservation Committee will open the meeting, approve the agenda and minutes from the July 1, 2025 meeting, and receive staff and public updates. After board comments, the committee will discuss options for community engagement to encourage applications to the land preservation program. No old business is listed.

• Approval of agenda
• Approval of July 1, 2025 meeting minutes
• Staff updates
• Public comment period
• Discussion of engagement options to encourage land preservation applications

Planning Board

The Planning Board is reviewing the town's current nuisance ordinance to determine necessary updates. Staff will present research on enforcement best practices, notice requirements, and abatement procedures from other jurisdictions.

• Discussion on nuisance ordinance administration and enforcement
• Review of junked, abandoned, and nuisance vehicle removal procedures
• Analysis of nuisance abatement and civil penalty best practices
• Unified Development Ordinance Project update

The Planning Board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the draft minutes from the November 4, 2025 meeting. No substantive policy actions were taken; the board continued discussion of the nuisance ordinance and announced a public input meeting on December 10. The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.

• Approved agenda (unanimous verbal assent)
• Approved November 4 minutes (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting at 8:53 p.m. (unanimous verbal assent)

Town Council

The Town of Mills River is asking the Town Council to provide direction on two street lighting matters: investigating new locations for lights and converting old fixtures to energy-efficient LEDs. The Town currently spends approximately $1,540 per month on electricity for 80 streetlights.

• Discussion on adding street lighting at South Mills River Road and Boylston Highway (NC-280)
• Review of costs to convert 55 high-pressure sodium fixtures to LED lights
• Town pays $1,540 per month for street lighting electricity usage
• Street lighting identified as a core service allowing Mills River to incorporate as a municipality
• Staff report presented by Planning Director Michael Malecek

Town Council

The Town Council voted to deny Annex 25‑01, a 77.28‑acre parcel proposed by Big Hills Construction, after a public hearing. The council also adopted Resolution 2025‑35 to join the C‑PACE program and approved Resolution 2025‑36 for the Wex Card piggyback contract. Additional items approved include a contract extension with Optimum for internet service and on‑call engineering services contracts.

• Denial of Annex 25‑01 (77.28‑acre parcel) for Big Hills Construction
• Adoption of Resolution 2025‑35 to join the C‑PACE program
• Adoption of Resolution 2025‑36, Wex Card piggyback contract
• Approval of contract extension with Optimum for internet service
• Approval of on‑call engineering services contracts

Planning Board

The Planning Board will review staff research and examples from other jurisdictions to determine which prohibitions and provisions should be included in an amended nuisance ordinance. The board is also reviewing the Hazard Prevention Ordinance and the Unified Development Ordinance project.

• Discussion on Nuisance Ordinance amendments including outdoor storage, junk vehicles, and tall grass
• Overview of Hazard Prevention Ordinance
• Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) project update
• Review of code enforcement procedures and courtesy warnings

The Planning Board approved the meeting agenda after a motion by Jim Foster, seconded by Mike Cole, with unanimous verbal assent. The Board then approved the draft minutes from the October 7, 2025 meeting after a motion by Foster, seconded by Jennie Sealey, also by unanimous verbal assent. The meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m. following a motion by Jennie Sealey, seconded by Jim Foster, with unanimous verbal assent. No other substantive actions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved agenda (unanimous verbal assent)
• Approved October 7 minutes (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting at 9:16 p.m. (unanimous verbal assent)

Town Council

The Town Council will hold public hearings regarding a property annexation request and the adoption of the C-PACE program. The meeting also includes a review of year-to-date tax collections and approval of engineering service contracts.

• Public hearing for annexation request Annex 25-01 (Big Hills Construction, LLC: The View Estates)
• Public hearing to join the Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) program
• Approval of On-Call Engineering Services Contracts
• Tax Collector report showing 2025 property tax collections of $810,389.17
• Agricultural Advisory Committee update regarding a Hazard Prevention Ordinance

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Agricultural Advisory Committee approved the minutes from the September 19, 2025 meeting, reviewed the Hazard Prevention Ordinance that the Town Council passed on October 6, 2025, and answered staff questions about the ordinance. No new business was introduced.

• Hazard Prevention Ordinance passed by Town Council on October 6, 2025
• Approval of September 19, 2025 meeting minutes
• Staff presented FAQ on the Hazard Prevention Ordinance for agriculture
• No new business items were presented
• Committee adjourned at 9:50 AM

The Agricultural Advisory Committee approved the minutes from the September 19, 2025 meeting. It also passed a unanimous request that relevant staff attend future committee agenda items, such as the Hazard Prevention Ordinance discussion. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved September 19, 2025 minutes (unanimous verbal assent)
• Requested staff attendance at agenda items (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous verbal assent)

Board of Adjustment

The Board will approve the agenda and minutes, elect a chair and vice chair, and adopt revised rules of procedure and the 2025 meeting schedule. The primary substantive item is a Minor Special Use Permit (SUP-25-02) for the Blue Ridge Humane Society to establish its headquarters and animal shelter on 353 Banner Farm Rd and an adjacent vacant parcel, a use not listed in the Light Industrial (MR-LI) zoning district. The board will determine if the proposed use meets the required zoning findings and standards.

• Minor Special Use Permit SUP-25-02 for Blue Ridge Humane Society headquarters and animal shelter at 353 Banner Farm Rd and adjacent vacant parcel (PIN 9631823883)
• Election of Board Chair (Bert Lemkes) and Vice Chair (Linda Bregartner)
• Adoption of modified Rules of Procedure
• Adoption of the 2025 Board of Adjustment meeting schedule
• Approval of agenda and minutes from February 11, 2025

The Board of Adjustment approved the February 11, 2025 minutes, heard public comment, and reviewed a Minor Special Use Permit (SUP-25-02) for the Blue Ridge Humane Society's new headquarters and animal shelter. No vote tally or outcome for the permit request was recorded in the minutes.

Planning Board

The Planning Board will review the Town's current nuisance ordinance following a request from Town Council. Staff will present research on code enforcement best practices and seek direction on updating standards for residential, business, and construction properties.

• Review and discussion of Nuisance Ordinance
• Discussion of UDO Annotated Outline, Concept Zoning Map, and Zoning Districts

The Planning Board approved agenda changes and the September 9 minutes by unanimous verbal assent. The board reached consensus to keep the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) as a standing agenda item and to add a review of the Hazard Prevention Ordinance for flood mitigation to the next meeting agenda. They also requested that the staff send the Nuisance Ordinance presentation to the board.

• Motion to move Public Comment before Board Comments passed by unanimous verbal assent
• Motion to approve agenda with changes passed by unanimous verbal assent
• Motion to approve September 9, 2025 minutes passed by unanimous verbal assent
• Consensus to keep the UDO as a standard agenda item on future meetings
• Consensus to add a Hazard Prevention flood‑mitigation review to the next agenda
• Board requested staff send Mr. Webb’s Nuisance Ordinance presentation to the board
• Motion to adjourn the meeting passed by unanimous verbal assent

Town Council

The Mills River Town Council held a continued public hearing on the Hazard Prevention Ordinance. Staff presented three ordinance options: limited government uses, general government uses, and general government uses with an agricultural exemption. The Planning Board had previously voted unanimously to recommend approval of the ordinance. Council will decide which option, if any, to adopt.

• Public hearing on Hazard Prevention Ordinance (continued from Oct. 2, 2025)
• Three ordinance options presented: limited government, general government, and general government with agricultural exemption
• Planning Board recommendation (unanimous vote on Sep. 9, 2025) to approve the ordinance
• Notice of hearing published in the Hendersonville Lightning on Sep. 17 and Sep. 24, 2025
• Potential adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-23

Town Council

The Mills River Town Council will hold a public hearing on the Floodplain Hazard Prevention Ordinance, with staff presenting the final draft and a Planning Board recommendation for approval. The council will also consider RV/Camper occupancy restrictions and a resolution for the NC C-PACE program. An Agricultural Advisory Committee recommendation opposing the current Floodplain Ordinance was presented unanimously. The consent agenda includes approval of the Tax Collector report.

• Public Hearing for the Floodplain Hazard Prevention Ordinance (presented by Michael Malecek)
• Consideration of RV/Camper Occupancy restrictions (presentation by Michael Malecek)
• Consideration of NC C-PACE Program Resolution (presentation by Matthew McKirahan)
• Agricultural Advisory Committee recommendation to reject the Floodplain Ordinance as presented
• Consent agenda: approval of the Tax Collector Report

Town Council

The Town Council is meeting to determine the date for the November business meeting. Staff has requested guidance on whether to keep the November 13 date or move it to November 6 or November 20.

• Discussion of rescheduling the November 13 meeting to November 6 or November 20

Town Council

The Mills River Town Council approved the Certificate of Sufficiency for Annexation request ANNEX‑25‑01 covering the Big Hill Construction Forge Ridge property. It adopted Resolution 2025‑30 to hold a public hearing on the annexation on October 23, 2025. The council also adopted Ordinance 2025‑22 updating park playground rules, reappointed Jason Davis to the Agricultural Advisory Committee, and adopted Resolution 2025‑31 to accept donated goods.

• Acceptance of Certificate of Sufficiency for Annexation request ANNEX‑25‑01 – Big Hill Construction, Forge Ridge property
• Adoption of Resolution 2025‑30 setting a public hearing for the annexation on October 23, 2025
• Adoption of Ordinance 2025‑22 updating park playground rules
• Reappointment of Jason Davis to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for a two‑year term
• Adoption of Resolution 2025‑31 accepting donated goods

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Agricultural Advisory Committee will discuss the draft Floodplain Ordinance, reviewing staff reports and a presentation from the September 28 Council Business Meeting. The committee will also consider the proposed widening of 191 Road. No new business items are on the agenda.

• Approval of minutes from the May 16, 2025 regular meeting
• Draft Floodplain Ordinance – staff report, presentation, and discussion (Sept 28)
• 191 Road widening – proposal review

The Agricultural Advisory Committee approved the minutes from the May 16, 2025 meeting. It voted to recommend that the Town Council reject the Floodplain Ordinance as presented because it lacks a clear agricultural exemption. It also recommended that the Council retain the five‑lane expansion plan for Highway 191 rather than revisit the widening. All motions passed unanimously by verbal assent.

• Approved May 16, 2025 minutes (unanimous verbal assent)
• Recommended Council reject Floodplain Ordinance as presented (unanimous verbal assent)
• Recommended Council retain five‑lane Highway 191 expansion plan (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting at 9:50 am (unanimous verbal assent)

Planning Board

The Board will present and discuss the draft Floodplain Hazard Prevention Ordinance, outlining its statutory authority and consistency with the Making Mills River 2040 plan, and will recommend approval to Town Council. A training video on legal considerations for rezoning will be shown with cameras and microphones turned off. No public comments were received during the meeting.

• Review and recommendation of the Floodplain Hazard Prevention Ordinance draft
• Training video on legal considerations for rezoning (viewing restrictions applied)
• Staff update on upcoming public hearings for Future Land Use Map amendment and Subdivision Ordinance Section 153.026 clarification
• Discussion of Subdivision Ordinance amendments (landscape buffers, walking trails, farmland preservation, stream setbacks)
• No public comments submitted

The board approved its agenda and the minutes from the August 5 meeting by unanimous verbal assent. It then adopted the Floodplain Hazard Prevention Ordinance as written, also by unanimous verbal assent. No other business was taken up.

• Approved agenda (unanimous verbal assent)
• Approved minutes from August 5, 2025 meeting (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adopted Floodplain Hazard Prevention Ordinance (unanimous verbal assent)

Town Council

The Town Council will discuss a multi-year communications contract to replace phasing-out copper phone lines. The body will also consider updates to playground park rules and an appointment to the Planning Board.

• 3-year communications contract with Anders Communications for Intermedia Unite
• Public hearing for Floodplain Ordinance adoption set for October 2
• Consideration of Ordinance 2025-22 regarding Playground Park Rules
• Appointment to the Planning Board for a two-year term ending September 4, 2027
• Emergency Management update presentation by Matthew McKirahan and Scott Burnette

Town Council

The Town Council will hold public hearings regarding a Future Land Use Map amendment, a Subdivision Ordinance amendment, and economic incentives for Project Sweet Tater. The body will also consider resolutions supporting AdventHealth expansion and the disposal of surplus personal property.

• Public Hearing for TXT-25-02, Future Land Use Map amendment
• Public Hearing for TXT-25-03, Subdivision Ordinance Amendment
• Public Hearing for Economic Incentives for Project Sweet Tater
• Resolution 2025-22: Memorandum of Understanding with Henderson County for Fire Inspection services
• Resolution 2025-28: Support for AdventHealth Hendersonville’s Certificate of Need application

Planning Board

The Planning Board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the draft minutes from the June 17, 2025 meeting. The board then adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m. No other motions or policy decisions were taken; the remainder of the session consisted of staff updates and informal discussion of the subdivision ordinance.

• Approved agenda (unanimous verbal assent)
• Approved June 17, 2025 minutes (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting at 7:42 p.m. (unanimous verbal assent)

Land Preservation Committee

The Land Preservation Committee elected Mike Cole as Chair (3-1 vote) and James Cantrell as Vice‑Chair (unanimous). The 2025 meeting schedule was adopted unanimously. The meeting was then adjourned by unanimous consent.

• Elected Mike Cole as Chair (3-1 verbal vote)
• Elected James Cantrell as Vice‑Chair (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adopted 2025 meeting schedule (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous verbal assent)

Planning Board

The board approved its agenda and the May 6 minutes by unanimous verbal assent. It then voted 7‑0 to recommend approval of the Future Land Use Map amendment (TXT‑25‑02) and also 7‑0 to recommend approval of the Subdivision Ordinance amendment (TXT‑25‑03). No formal action was taken on the informal subdivision ordinance review, and the meeting was adjourned by unanimous verbal assent.

• Approved agenda – unanimous verbal assent
• Approved May 6 minutes – unanimous verbal assent
• Approved Future Land Use Map amendment (TXT‑25‑02) – 7/7 vote
• Approved Subdivision Ordinance amendment (TXT‑25‑03) – 7/7 vote
• Adjourned meeting – unanimous verbal assent

Agricultural Advisory Committee

The Agricultural Advisory Committee approved its February 21 minutes and unanimously recommended that agriculture remain exempt from floodplain restrictions, allowing fill and imposing a five‑year PUV loss penalty if sold for commercial use. The committee also nominated Kirby Johnson to the Land Preservation Committee and advised the Council to reject the proposed median on the US‑191 expansion. The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 am.

• Approved February 21, 2025 minutes (unanimous verbal assent)
• Recommended agriculture stay exempt, allow floodplain fill, impose 5‑year PUV loss penalty (unanimous verbal assent)
• Nominated Kirby Johnson to Land Preservation Committee (unanimous verbal assent)
• Recommended Council reject median in US‑191 expansion (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting at 10:00 am (unanimous verbal assent)

Planning Board

The Planning Board unanimously approved the agenda and the minutes from the April 1 meeting. It also approved a text amendment to Section 153.026 of the Code of Ordinances, changing “or” to “and” in the definition of “common area.” The board voted to move the June 3 regular meeting to June 17 and then adjourned the session.

• Approved agenda with additions (unanimous verbal assent)
• Approved April 1 minutes (unanimous verbal assent)
• Approved text amendment to § 153.026 definition of “common area” (unanimous verbal assent)
• Changed June meeting date from June 3 to June 17 (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourned meeting at 8:55 p.m. (unanimous verbal assent)
• No action taken on attorney introduction
• No action taken on Rusty Darnell introduction
• No action taken on Mills River Crossing discussion

Planning Board

The Board unanimously approved the agenda and the draft minutes from prior meetings. After staff updates and public comment, the Board voted to table the consideration of Major Subdivision M‑22‑01 (Mills River Crossing Phase 4) until the May 6, 2025 meeting. The meeting was then adjourned by unanimous verbal assent.

• Approve agenda (unanimous verbal assent)
• Approve draft minutes from Feb 26 2025 and Mar 4 2025 meetings (unanimous verbal assent)
• Table Major Subdivision M‑22‑01 – Mills River Crossing Phase 4 until May 6 2025 (unanimous verbal assent)
• Adjourn meeting (unanimous verbal assent)