News

Mills River adopts new land-use, parks plans

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 25, 2021

Following more than two years of extensive public input and community engagement, Mills River recently adopted the 2040 Making Mills River comprehensive plan and a master plan for Mills River Park & Recreation.

Adopted by the Town Council on May 27, the Making Mills River comprehensive plan is the first update the Town’s original comprehensive land-use plan, which was adopted in 2006.

“With this plan the people of Mills River have made it known that environmental sustainability, protection of farms and green spaces, the building of new bicycle and pedestrian greenways, and enhanced recreational opportunities are top priorities,” Mayor Pro Tem Brian Caskey said. "For the first time ever, our small community will be able to control its own growth in an informed, resilient and highly intentional manner.” A copy of the land use plan is available at www.millsriver.org/planning.
Immediately following the adoption of Making Mills River Plan the Town adopted a systemwide parks and recreation master plan. This plan was developed for the purpose of understanding the recreational needs of the town, identifying the opportunities and constraints for parks and recreation, and identify priorities for future investment. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Tammy Ross said, “I am excited to have a Parks and Recreation Master Plan for our growing town that was created from the input of its residents." A copy of this plan is available at www.millsriver.org/parks.
All of the community input for both of these plans was gathered through several phases of robust public engagement. The results of that process informed the vision statements, goals, objectives and policy statements that are embedded in the documents “but the reality is, everything boils down to this being a form of direct democracy that you don't often see taking place today,” said Caskey.
Questions may be directed to Daniel Cobb at Daniel.cobb@millsriver.org.