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MILLS RIVER
imagine
WELCOME TO IMAGINE MILLS RIVER
MILLS RIVER
imagine
LATEST NEWS
NEXT TRIP: DECEMBER 10-12, 2025
Happy Holidays! The Town staff and consulting team are excited to announce the posting of the Annotated Outline of the new UDO. Find it here. The Annotated Outline is a "dress rehearsal" for the new UDO document. It sets out the UDO's structure and describes the contents to be included. The Annotated Outline forms the basis for the new UDO language.
In addition to the Annotated Outline, the DRAFT zoning map and overlay district maps are also posted. Find them here and here. These are initial versions of these zoning maps based on the proposed changes to the Town's current zoning districts as described in the Annotated Outline.
The consulting team will be in Mills River this week to conduct a public open house for the draft zoning map and the UDO material prepared to date.
The OPEN HOUSE will be held on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 6PM to 8:30PM at the Mills River Elementary School Gymnasium. There will be a brief presentation explaining the work prepared to date, an opportunity to pose questions for discussion during the meeting, and a series of information stations to learn more about how the project may affect lots in Mills River. The presentation and question and answer session will be recorded and posted to this website after the meeting.
There will also be a series of OFFICE HOURS open to anyone who would like to have a one-on-one meeting with Town staff and the consulting team. Office Hours are 30-minute meetings conducted at Town Hall (124 Town Center Drive). Times have been set aside between 10AM and 3PM on Thursday, December 11, and between 9AM and 12PM on Friday, December 12. Please contact Town staff at 828-890-2901 or email michael.malecek@millsriver.org to schedule an office hours meeting.
The consulting team will also be presenting the draft Zoning Map to the Town Council and going over the work completed to date during the Council's regular meeting at 6:30PM on Thursday, December 11 at Town Hall.
We look forward to seeing you at one of these meetings!
PROJECT GOALS
Imagine Mills River is a project to create the Town’s first unified development ordinance (or “UDO”). A UDO controls the type and location of development as well as the rules for new development to follow. It controls features like landscaping, exterior lighting, open space, parking, housing density, and many others. The main goal of the UDO is to promote the public’s health, safety, and general welfare. It is also an important tool for protecting community character and the Town’s agricultural heritage. The UDO includes the Town’s zoning map, or the geographic distribution of uses like homes, businesses, roads, and parks.
While the Town already has a set of development regulations, and has been considering changes to those rules through projects like the recent Rural Residential Zoning District initiative, the main reason for the Imagine Mills River project is to implement Making Mills River, the Town’s comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 2021.
The following are the key project goals for Imagine Mills River:
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Protecting rural character.
Implementing the Town's adopted land use policy guidance (like Making Mills River).
Preserving farms and agricultural activity.
Identifying the optimal location for new homes, businesses, and open space.
Protecting sensitive natural environments (like waterways, steep slopes, and habitat).
Providing an adequate range of housing choices for people of all ages and incomes.
Promoting sustainable development and property values.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
This graphic shows the draft project schedule. It includes 7 tasks to be completed by June of 2026.
HOW TO USE THIS SITE
This webpage is a source for details about the Imagine Mills River project, the new UDO, and how to get involved with the project.
LEARN
ASK
FIND
PARTICIPATE
This VIDEO provides details on the project goals, scope, schedule, and other aspects.
The FAQ tab is a place to find answers to your questions about the project and pose new ones for the project team to consider.
The DOCUMENTS tab is a place for current Town documents and draft work products prepared as a part of the Imagine Mills River project.
The PARTICIPATE tab describes the times and places where you can ask questions, provide input, and get more detailed information.
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