News Flash

Have a voice in your Town’s future. Engage in the UDO (Unified Development Ordinance) and Town-wide zoning update by providing feedback. Watch for key dates to be posted.

March 10-12

Review of revised UDO zoning district language, land use table, and third draft zoning map

March 20-22

Release of additional revised UDO draft chapters (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9) for public review on project website

April 1

Temporary pause on processing new rezoning and code amendment applications

April 6

Release of full revised public review draft of entire UDO document on project website

April 21

Public office hours with Town Planning staff for UDO project at Town Hall

May 2

Deadline for public comments on revised UDO draft materials

May 5

Planning Board review and consideration of final draft UDO and zoning map

June 11

Town Council public hearing with consideration of UDO and zoning map adoption

Ways to connect!

www.imaginemillsriver.com

Phone: 828-890-2901

Email: planning@millsriver.gov

www.millsriver.gov

Town staff will be accepting, but not scheduling meetings or public hearings for rezonings and zoning code amendment requests after April 1, 2026. This is to avoid confusion as the Town moves forward into the UDO and town-wide zoning update adoption process. 

Applicants can still submit applications, and those applications will be reviewed under the zoning rules in place at the time the application is received by the town, paid for, and deemed complete. However, consideration of rezonings and zoning text amendments will not occur until after July 1, 2026, when the UDO process is completed. This pause on consideration of these applications is permitted under the pending ordinance legal doctrine, which allows a pause while new regulations are being considered and adopted by Town officials.

Do you operate a 501(c)(3) serving the residents of Mills River? Do you have a program you would like to expand to better serve Mills River residents? The Town has adopted a Town Funding of Nonprofits Policy.

 Each year, the Town Council hears requests from local nonprofits for the purpose of promoting partnerships for the benefit of Mills River residents and strengthen community organizations. Past recipients include the Mills River Farm Market, Mills River Life Enrichment Center, Literacy Connection, the Housing Assistance Corporation, and Smart Start Partnership for Children.

 April 23, 2026 at 6:30 PM Town Council is meeting to hear these requests. Please plan to attend this meeting if your organization submits an application with the Town.

 Please reach out to Patty Brown at patty.brown@millsriver.gov for an application (pdf, fillable).  Applications can also be printed and filled out.  They MUST be submitted no later than 9 a.m. on April 16.  

Recovery from the damage of Hurricane Helene at Mills River Park and Town Hall has been an ongoing process and we're here to keep you updated on our progress.

The Town recently launched an online portal where residents can anonymously submit complaints for properties in Town limits. Once a complaint is submitted, staff will investigate to determine if additional action is needed. If the property is in violation of Town ordinances, staff will work with the property owner to ensure issues are corrected and the property is brought into compliance.

Anonymous online complaints can be submitted using the link below.

Town of Mills River Online Request Portal

Additional information can be found on the Nuisance Complaint page of our website here.