Flat Rock council updates fee schedule, pledges $1,000 to Mud Creek planning grant and asks Planning Board to review unsafe-structure ordinance

At its May 14 meeting, the Village of Flat Rock council approved several administrative and planning items including an amended fee schedule, a $1,000 contribution to a Mud Creek planning grant, and referral of an Unsafe Structure Ordinance to the Planning Board.

Fee schedule: Village Administrator Patricia Christie recommended raising the variance fee and the text-amendment fee to better align local charges with staff costs and comparable Henderson County municipalities. Mayor Anne G. Coletta moved to approve the amended fee schedule, effective July 1, 2026; Council Member Jeter seconded the motion and the council carried it unanimously.

Mud Creek planning grant contribution: Conserving Carolina is pursuing a planning grant from the North Carolina Land & Water Fund to design flood-mitigation work beginning near DuPont Forest; the local match request sought contributions from neighboring municipalities. Mayor Coletta moved that the Village contribute $1,000 toward the match; Council Member Jeter seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Unsafe Structure Ordinance: The council agreed by consensus to ask the Planning Board to begin review of a proposed Unsafe Structure Ordinance in June 2026 and to allow the Planning Board to request assistance from the Land of Sky Regional Council if needed. The Planning Board will return recommendations to council after its review.

These actions were recorded as unanimous and procedural in the meeting minutes; no public comment on these agenda items was recorded.