Planning commission backs Millennia (TBN) Cottages FDP despite split votes; project drops assisted‑living component

Hendersonville planning commissioners voted to recommend approval of the Millennia (also referred to in public comment as the Trinity/TBN) Cottages final development plan, a largely age‑restricted, patio‑home style independent‑living project at 645 East Main Street.

The project’s developer, Trilogy Asset Investments Inc., returned to the commission after two deferrals with a revised plan that removes the previously proposed 80‑unit assisted‑living component and expands independent living cottages from 90 to 110 units. Staff said the project will include a small café near pickleball courts, a replacement storage building for the existing barn and expanded sidewalks to provide pedestrian access to an adjacent church. The developer also agreed to meet the zoning ordinance’s parking quantity and dimensional requirements, removing an earlier parking waiver request.

Why it matters: Commissioners concentrated on what a shift away from assisted living means for services and traffic. Some members welcomed the lower density and preservation of the on‑site theater’s civic use; others said the board of mayor and aldermen (BOMA) previously approved a plan that included assisted living and expressed concern about substantial changes after rezoning.

Developers and operators: Frank Amedia (developer representative) and a manager from Vitality Living described the plan as an independent‑living or “55+” patio‑home community. Vitality’s representative said the operator will not arrange on‑site medical services; residents may contract privately with home‑care providers. “This will be more of an active adult project,” the operator said, adding that leases will be age‑restricted and include guest limits.

Traffic and site history: Commissioners asked about the previously completed traffic study and whether the reduced density alters traffic mitigation needs. The civil engineer for the project said a traffic study had been approved at the preliminary development stage and that the revised plan reduces overall density. Staff reminded the commission that site‑plan level traffic and any off‑site improvements would be evaluated later when a detailed site plan is submitted.

Conditions and next steps: The planning commission approved the final development plan by a 6–3 vote and will forward the recommendation, along with staff comments, to BOMA’s general committee the following Tuesday; full BOMA is scheduled to consider first and final readings about three weeks later. Staff noted an exhibit will require a future amended FDP if the owner seeks to implement assisted‑living or nursing‑home uses in the future.

The vote leaves open the balance between preserving the site’s historic entertainment uses and approving a private, age‑restricted residential development that the developer says meets current market demand.