Press release from Mills River:
Following two years of extensive public input and community engagement, Mills River recently adopted the 2040 Making Mills River comprehensive plan and the Town of Mills River Park & Recreation Masterplan. On May 27, 2021 the Making Mills River comprehensive plan was adopted by Town Council, this 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,” said Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem Brian Caskey.
Caskey went on to say “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 system- wide 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. Chairwoman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee – Tammy Ross – stated, “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 these 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.
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