Residents urge 12-month moratorium on proposed Bills Creek tiny-home community, citing water, traffic and fiscal concerns

Multiple residents addressed the commissioners during public comment on May 4 to oppose a proposed high-density tiny-home community in the Bills Creek area near Lake Lure.

One commenter said the firm behind the plan, Simple Life Homes and its representative Mike McCann, had presented advantages but did not disclose that the units are manufactured/mobile homes taxed as personal property rather than real estate, which could reduce county property-tax revenue while increasing demand for county services. "Because of that ... I'm asking for a 12 month moratorium be put on any high density, tiny home community within Rutherford County," one commenter said.

Speakers also raised technical and safety concerns: potential strain on private wells and septic systems, groundwater sustainability, a lack of water-use studies, narrow winding roads with limited shoulders and added traffic, and possible increased emergency-service calls. Another speaker said petition organizers had gathered more than 500 signatures and formally submitted the petition at the meeting.

A public commenter referenced recent state legislation, identifying "the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024, part 3 session law 2024-457" and contending that language on downzoning limits local authority to change zoning. That commenter urged the board to use a moratorium to allow county officials time to review regulatory constraints and infrastructure implications.

County staff did not take formal action on the moratorium request at the May 4 meeting; commissioners thanked speakers and continued with agenda business. There was no detailed staff presentation or empirical study provided during the meeting in support of the project's water or traffic impacts.