Mills River NC Prepares for Future with Bold New Master Plan
If you’re thinking about making the move to Hendersonville or considering a quieter life just beyond its city limits, the town of Mills River might be coming onto your radar. Tucked between Hendersonville and Brevard, this scenic community is known for its farmland, forests, and a strong spirit of local engagement. Now, it’s also making headlines with a bold step toward guiding its growth for the decades ahead.
A New Era of Planning in Mills River
Mills River NC is currently shaping a major overhaul of its development approach through an ambitious new comprehensive plan known as the Imagine Mills River Unified Development Ordinance. This far-reaching document is projected to guide growth, zoning, land uses, and sustainability practices through the year 2040. The final plan is expected to span nearly 600 pages, full of zoning schema, usage definitions, and new standards for development.
What sets Mills River apart? It’s the only town in North Carolina that received an exemption from a state ban on downzoning. This temporary flexibility—which expires on July 1—gives local leaders a rare opportunity to shape land development with intentional care for agriculture, rural character, and environmental stewardship.
Why It Matters for Residents and Homebuyers
For those living in Hendersonville and surrounding areas like Mills River, the new development plan means more than new lines on a map. It’s about quality of life—creating a thoughtful balance between preserving wide open spaces and accommodating much-needed residential or commercial growth.
- New zoning districts like Agricultural Residential and Rural Residential
- More detailed guidelines for parking, building height, setbacks, and sustainability
- Protection against unchecked high-density development
Whether you’re a longtime local or planning to relocate to Hendersonville, these changes could have a big impact on how land around you is used and developed over the coming years.
Community Voices Guiding the Future
Feedback from the Mills River community is at the heart of the planning process. A recent public forum at Mills River Elementary School showed just how engaged residents are in shaping their town’s destiny. Consultant Chad Meadows from CodeWright Planners navigated questions and feedback from dozens of residents, blending solid urban planning principles with a touch of humor that made zoning maps feel a little more approachable.
According to Meadows, all currently allowed uses will be grandfathered in, helping ease concerns about immediate or drastic change. Still, future development will become more intentional, based on newly crafted zoning such as Low Density Residential or revised commercial building height limits. Adjustments like these could help maintain Mills River’s small-town, agriculturally rich feel.
Deadline-Driven Progress
The stakes are high, as the state-imposed exemption for downzoning expires July 1. If the plan isn’t adopted by then, a significant level of zoning flexibility will be lost—a wake-up call for any community carefully navigating growth.
Planning consultant Karen Mallo shared that roughly 75% of Mills River’s land is currently zoned for mixed use with minimal regulation. The new plan would organize Mills River into a much more nuanced landscape of tailored districts, promoting intentional development that’s true to the area’s values.
A new draft of the plan is expected in early 2026, with at least one more public input session planned before final adoption. It’s a prime time for locals to make their voices heard.
Living in Mills River: A Blend of Rural Charm and Thoughtful Growth
Thinking about living in Hendersonville or its surrounding communities like Mills River? This ongoing planning initiative is a prime example of how seriously the region takes its growth. Mills River offers a peaceful setting with access to mountain views, local farms, and key outdoor attractions like DuPont State Forest and Pisgah National Forest—while still being a short drive to Asheville regional amenities.
The master planning effort aims to ensure that even as more people discover the area, the core values of the community remain intact. For newcomers and longtime residents alike, that means the rural lifestyle you fall in love with today will still be around tomorrow.
Why It’s a Great Time to Relocate to Hendersonville or Mills River
If you’re thinking about a move to Hendersonville or just where to put down roots in the Blue Ridge foothills, Mills River’s proactive steps are a clear sign of a town preparing wisely for its future. Smart planning today sets the stage for a brighter, better-balanced tomorrow.
Imagine waking up with mountain views, swinging by a local farm for fresh produce, and knowing your community is working hard to make sure that experience is preserved. That’s the kind of lifestyle that’s attracting new neighbors every season.
Want to learn more about what’s changing in Mills River and how it fits into the broader picture of the region? Stay tuned for updates, and know that your voice and decision to live here matter as much as anyone’s.
Get Involved, Stay Informed
The town will continue hosting community meetings before the plan is finalized. If you live in the area, I highly recommend attending one—you won’t just learn more, you’ll be helping shape the town’s future. You can also follow updates through the Hendersonville Times-News.
The future of Mills River is being written now, and it’s looking thoughtfully curated, locally rooted, and full of potential. It’s no small-town secret for much longer.