News

Mills River seeks public input on new townwide zoning maps

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 3, 2025

The town of Mills River is seeking public comments and feedback from the community on new zoning maps, new zoning districts and updated land use regulations at a public forum scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Mills River Elementary School gym, 94 School House Road.

The zoning update project, known as Imagine Mills River, has been in development for about a year. The project involves comprehensively updating all of the town’s land use, development and zoning codes for the first time in town history into a new Unified Development Ordinance. This large-scale update also includes a new proposed zoning map and new zoning districts across the whole town.

While Mills River already has a set of development regulations, the town aims to update, standardize, set clear processes and procedures, and provide a user-friendly document to guide future development decisions. The Imagine Mills River UDO and zoning update project revamps the existing regulations into a new UDO and also implements land use policies in the Making Mills River comprehensive land use plan adopted by Town Council in May 2021, which was shaped by two years of community input. The primary goal identified by the community in the Making Mills River land use plan is to “protect and enhance the rural and small-town character of Mills River.”

“Now is a crucial time for public input and community feedback," Planning Director Michael Malecek said. "The town is currently drafting new land use regulations and has already completed the first draft of the proposed zoning map. These changes will affect how the town of Mills River develops and how it will look for the next decade and beyond. It is vitally important for members of the community to engage with this project, provide public comments on the proposed changes and updates, and shape the future of Mills River.” 

The first draft of the proposed zoning map and other documents are available for public review and feedback on the project website at www.imaginemillsriver.com. Community members can also submit public comments and sign-up for email updates on the project website. 

For more information on the Dec. 10 public forum, visit www.millsriver.gov. Interested parties may contact town of Mills River planning staff at planning@millsriver.gov.