Mills River meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Mills River boards to weigh variances, rezoning, ethics policy

The Mills River Town Council and Board of Adjustment have several items on their August agendas, including five variance requests, a residential rezoning request, and a proposed ethics policy. No decisions have been made yet; the meetings are scheduled for August 11 and 13, and minutes have not been published.

Board of Adjustment to hear five variance requests

On August 11, the Board of Adjustment will hold public hearings on five variance applications (VAR-26-04 through VAR-26-08). The requests seek relief from zoning rules covering front and side yard setbacks in residential districts, maximum nonresidential building size in mixed-use and neighborhood commercial districts, and maximum wall signage area. Specifically:

• VAR-26-04: front and side yard setback variance in the MR-30 district
• VAR-26-05: maximum nonresidential building size variance in the MR-MU district
• VAR-26-06: side and rear yard setback variances in the MR-NC district
• VAR-26-07: front and side yard setback variance in the MR-30 district
• VAR-26-08: maximum wall signage surface area variance

The board will also approve the agenda and minutes from its June 9, 2026 meeting.

Town Council to hold public hearings on rezoning and fee schedule

On August 13, the Town Council will hold public hearings on a residential conditional zoning request (R-26-02) and a proposed amendment to the Planning Department fee schedule. The council will also receive a presentation on the ETC Community Survey and consider a consent agenda that includes:

• Resolution 2026-19: Increase micro purchase threshold
• Resolution 2026-20: Approve state contract for purchase of mower
• A memorandum of understanding with the Division of Employment Services
• A budget amendment for UDO adjustments
• Letters of support for AdventHealth Hendersonville's Certificate of Need applications (acute care beds and fixed MRI scanner)

The meeting includes routine approvals of minutes and the tax collector report.

Town Council to discuss ethics policy

Also on August 13, the Town Council will discuss adopting a Code of Ethics policy for Board and Advisory Committee members, presented by Kristen Rintoul. They will also discuss the Community Conversations outreach program and potential future agenda items, including a Q4 update, Maintenance Facility Construction, Agricultural Advisory Committee appointments, and a Board of Adjustment appointment. No formal votes are scheduled; these items are for discussion only.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are listed in the next 14 days.

Mills River boards and council address zoning, fees, and ethics

Over the past two weeks, the Mills River Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, and Town Council held four meetings covering a state-invalidated development ordinance, five variance requests, a rezoning request, fee schedule changes, and a proposed code of ethics. Minutes have not yet been published, so no formal decisions are available.

Planning Board (Aug. 4)

The Planning Board discussed the status of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) adoption, its invalidation by the state, and next steps. The agenda also included swearing in a new board member, approving minutes, and public comment. No other substantive business was listed.

Board of Adjustment (Aug. 11)

The Board of Adjustment held public hearings on five variance applications (VAR-26-04 through VAR-26-08) seeking relief from zoning rules covering front and side yard setbacks in residential districts, maximum nonresidential building size in mixed-use and neighborhood commercial districts, and maximum wall signage area. The board also approved the agenda and minutes from its June 9, 2026 meeting. The specific requests are:

• VAR-26-04: front and side yard setback variance in MR-30 district
• VAR-26-05: maximum nonresidential building size variance in MR-MU district
• VAR-26-06: side and rear yard setback variances in MR-NC district
• VAR-26-07: front and side yard setback variance in MR-30 district
• VAR-26-08: maximum wall signage surface area variance

Town Council (Aug. 13)

The Town Council held two meetings on Aug. 13. The first included public hearings on a residential conditional zoning request (R-26-02) and a proposed amendment to the Planning Department fee schedule. The council also received a presentation on the ETC Community Survey and considered a consent agenda that included:

• Resolution 2026-19: Increase micro purchase threshold
• Resolution 2026-20: Approve state contract for purchase of mower
• A memorandum of understanding with the Division of Employment Services
• A budget amendment for UDO adjustments
• Letters of support for AdventHealth Hendersonville's Certificate of Need applications (acute care beds and fixed MRI scanner)

The second meeting was a discussion-only session on adopting a Code of Ethics for Board and Advisory Committee members, presented by Kristen Rintoul. The council also discussed the Community Conversations outreach program and potential future agenda items, including a Q4 update, Maintenance Facility Construction, Agricultural Advisory Committee appointments, and a Board of Adjustment appointment. No formal votes were scheduled.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled within the next 14 days.

Mills River Council weighs speed limit cuts, water grant, pay plan

The Mills River Town Council during its June 25 meeting considered a series of measures including adopting ordinances to reduce speed limits on town roads, applying for a Water Resources Development Grant, and updating the municipal pay plan for the upcoming fiscal year. The council also reappointed members to two boards and set a public hearing for a rezoning request in August.

Speed limit reductions considered

The council reviewed concurring ordinances with the N.C. Department of Transportation to lower speed limits on certain roads. The agenda did not specify which roads were affected. No vote was recorded; the item was listed for discussion only.

Water Resources Development Grant

The council considered a resolution authorizing an application for a Water Resources Development Grant. The grant amount and project details were not included in the agenda summary.

Pay plan update

The council discussed adopting the FY 2026-2027 Recommended Pay Plan. The plan would adjust compensation for town employees. No further specifics were provided.

Appointments and public hearing

The council reappointed Jim Foster to the Planning Board and Brandon McGaha to the Board of Adjustment. A public hearing was scheduled for Aug. 13 to consider a residential conditional zoning request (case R-26-02).

Future agenda review

In a separate procedural session later that day, the council reviewed future agenda items. According to the agenda, the council plans to adopt an updated Powell Bill Map and appoint a tax collector at its July 9 meeting. Additionally, an ETC Community Survey presentation will be given at the Aug. 13 meeting, which will also host the rezoning public hearing.

Coming up

No official upcoming meetings were listed for the next two weeks. The council has discussed holding a meeting on July 9 to address the Powell Bill Map and tax collection, but that meeting has not yet appeared on the town's published schedule.