Lake Lure Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting Summary - Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Thank you to those who joined us for the Town Council Work Session and Action Meeting held on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 8:30 a.m.

• The meeting was held at the temporary Town Hall at the Landings, 920 Buffalo Creek Road, Lake Lure, NC 28746.

• The public was invited to attend. 

• The following is a summary of the meeting.

• You may download the meeting packet for additional information. 

I. Call to Order

Mayor Pritchett called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for their attendance. 

Agenda

The agenda was approved as posted. 

II. Agenda Adoption

The agenda was approved a posted.

III. Simple Life Sewer Flow Request

Simple Life submitted a request for 34,000 gallons per day (GPD) of wastewater capacity for a proposed subdivision near the intersection of McDaniel Road and Herman Wilson Road in the Bills Creek community, located outside the corporate limits of Lake Lure.

• The proposed development includes approximately 300+ tiny homes, along with associated roads, open spaces, walking trails, and community amenities.

• Plans also include four well sites for water supply and a forced main sewer lift station and service line system connecting to the Town’s wastewater network.

• The Town’s Sewer Capacity Allocation Policy governs the distribution of wastewater treatment capacity to ensure that the Town’s remaining 84,000 GPD is used efficiently and equitably, prioritizing residents and developments within municipal limits. Per the policy, sewer connections outside Town limits require case-by-case review by Town Council based on:

  • Capacity thresholds
  • Public benefit
  • Environmental impact
  • Consistency with Town plans
  • Financial feasibility and cost recovery. 

• If Council approves the request, the applicant would be required to pay $3.25 per GPD allocated, totaling $110,500, prior to final approval.

• Town Manager Olivia Stewman advised that Odom Engineering will presenting an overview of the request.

  • David Odom is requesting on behalf of Simple Life allocation of 34,000 gallons a day pumping to the Carolina Water systems.
  • They are proposing a 300-unit tiny home community averaging 6 or 7 houses per acre.
  • This community is a lifestyle focusing on simple living with trails, reflections, a gated community and 24/7 security.
  • They are 1–2-bedroom units.
  • There is no age requirement but prominently older generations.

• It was noted by Town Council that this is a hard decision as the Town is only allocated 84,000 gallons.

• Town Council also advised that according to the Town Policy these request would also need to be annexed into the Town.

• Unfortunately, this project does not fit into the zoning required for the Town and a discussion ensued with council and Mr. Odom.

• Mayor Pritchett asked for any public comment.

• A number of community members raised concerns regarding the proposed tiny home community noting the following: 

  • If a community like this went in our neighborhood, its impact would be great.

  • The Zoning code does not allow for mobile homes or RV’s except in campgrounds.

  • There is already a ton of traffic, and this will only impact our roads more.

  • Some of the information presented is incorrect as we were unaware of some things that have been mentioned.

  • What will happen to our water?

  • Most of Bills Creek Community is on private wells and after storm some of those wells ran dry.

  • Will this bring more of a struggle or more health and safety issues? 

  • This will impact our water and sewers more than most.

  • Traffic will increasingly get worse and more accidents will happen.

  • It would create more strain on our EMS and Fire and would put our community more at risk.

  • This project would take up a large portion of the allocated amount for the Town's water and sewer and this would limit the growth of the rest of the town.

  • There are many health and safety concerns and cultural impact on the community.

  • We have about 15 to 20 families and this project would bring in 300 homes on top of that creating disturbance with walking, dogs, hunting, and recreational gun use.

  • I moved here to have the peace that this community offers to have this in my back yard.

  • Concerns with water and sewers being impacted by the large community and what this will do the tranquility that Lake Lure offers.

  • Adding more communities like this I feel would be detrimental to the health of the lake and rivers and cause large impacts to fishing and wildlife.

• Mayor Pritchett thanked everyone for their comments concerning the request. Council discussion ensued.

• Town Manager Stewman recommended Town Council not approve the request. 

• The Mayor advised that the only issue being addressed today was the sewer request. 

• She noted that is anyone had further concerns regarding the proposed community, they should direct questions to Rutherford County as the location is location of the proposed community is not within the Town of Lake Lure

IV. Review Draft 2026 Schedule

The following 2026 meeting calendar was included for review.  There will be at least one more date for the Budget retreat and will make any other necessary changes.

• Regular Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.

• Storm Recovery Meetings: Mondays at 10:00 a.m. during weeks with no Regular or Work Session/Action meetings and excluding holidays.

• Work Session/Action Meetings: 4th Wednesday of each month at 8:30 a.m., except November and December, when the schedule is adjusted for holidays.

• All meetings will be held at The Landings, 920 Buffalo Creek Road.

• The 2026 schedule will be on the agenda for adoption at the regular December meeting.

  • January 5, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00a.m. Storm Recovery
  • January 13, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • January 28, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • February 2, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • February 10, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • February 16, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • February 25, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • March 2, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • March 10, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • March 16, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • March 25, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • March 30, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • April 6, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • April 14, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • April 22, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • April 27, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • May 4, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • May 12, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • May 18, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Storm Recovery
  • May 27, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • June 1, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • June 9, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • June 15, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • June 24, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • July 6, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • July 14, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • July 22, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • July 27, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • August 3, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • August 11, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00p.m. Regular
  • August 17, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • August 26, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • August 31, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • September 8, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • September 14, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • September 23, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • September 28, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • October 5, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • October 13, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • October 19, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • October 28, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • November 2, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • November 10, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • November 18, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • 13 of 48
  • November 23, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • November 30, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery
  • December 8, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 5:00 p.m. Regular
  • December 16, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 8:30 a.m. Work Session / Action
  • December 21, 2026 Town Hall at The Landings 10:00 a.m. Storm Recovery

* Regular Town Council meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

* Storm Recovery meetings are held on Mondays during weeks when there are no regular Council meetings or work session/action meetings.

* Work Session/Action Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, except in November and December, when the schedule is adjusted to avoid holiday conflicts

V. Consider Approval of Budget Amendment #379 for FY22FEMA HHPD Grant

• Town Manager Stewman advised that this budget amendment goes along with the design grant just discussed in item IV. 

• The FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) grant pays for 65% of the cost of the project.   

• The award was for 65% of the cost but the cost of the work has increased and do not foresee another change. 

• The budget amendment was approved. 

VI. Consider Approval of Schnabel Task Order 10 for 30% Dam Design

• Town Manager, Olivia Stewman advised that the contract for the 30% design grant for Dam grant has been received.

• The Finance Department has reviewed the numbers and approve the funding from the Dam Reserve Fund. 

• The funds must be paid by the Town and are then reimbursed after the fact. 

• The amount of FEMA HHPD grant award is $484,500. 

• The work order was approved. 

VII. Initial FY26-27 Budget Discussion

• Town Manager Stewman advised that she is working on the upcoming 26-27 budget.

• A budget retreat will be planned.

• It was noted that an increased fire tax may be proposed to fund a new fire engine and that the Town is looking for ways to pay competitive salaries to help retain employees.

• Fire Chief Dustin Waycaster advised that a down payment is needed to reduce the cost of the fire engine and delaying the fire tax increase would cause issues in obtaining the engine.

• Currently the Town is we are already supplementing the fire department budget by $215,000 and need to look at working to have fire tax pay for fire expenses. 

• The Town wants to invest in our fire department and all our staff. 

• Finance Director Steve Ford advised that expenditures are increasing with insurance, retirement, public safety, retention, and other factors.

• Currently some positions are frozen and there are many factors that need to be considered when reviewing the budget this upcoming year.

VIII. Hager Strategic Solutions Updates

• Mike Hager advised that there are many things working through the general assembly, one being the reallocation of sales taxes.

• Hopefully for budget will be decided upon soon and funds will be provided to the county.

• There are 3 Rutherford County Commissioner spots becoming vacant in the coming year and there will be many changes to come in Rutherford County.

• AT&T fiber optics is in the works and has passed so this work will begin soon.

• There have been some barriers with the waste water treatment plant and there was a discussion about this matter as it is a priority need for the Town.

IX. Storm Recovery Updates

• The US Army Corps of Engineers has demobilized and the Town will begin restoring Morse Park.

• The Town is applying for grants to help with bank stabilization and landscaping in the area.

• We are waiting on the hydrology report and hopes that it will be received in the next week.

X. Town Manager/Project Updates

• Lake Lure Dam/Tainter Gate Repairs: Town Manager Stewman advised that the Town received 2  bids for the work at the Lake Lure Dam.

  • Schnabel Engineering will be reviewing the proposals.  

  • Both bids are in the $500,000 range and will be added to the next Town Council meeting for review/approval once received back.

• West End Sewer System: The Town is wrapping up the West End project soon.

  • The gravity line will be placed next week.

• Cell Tower: The Cell Tower Construction is underway.

  • By December 6, 2025, the tower should be upright and ready for operation by early 2026.

• Marina Contract: the daft Marina Contact is ready for review and will be provided as soon as possible.

  • July 17, 2025 is the scheduled completion date.

• Comprehensive Plan: The comprehensive planning process is ongoing and a round table is scheduled for December 10, 2025 at 6:00 to provide updates and to engage with the public.

• Raptor Round-up: Each year the Police Department collects toys and presents for kids in need at Lake Lure Classical Academy.  The program is called Raptor Round-up is going fantastic and all children have been accounted for the event on December 12, 2025 when the presents are delivered.  A Parade is planned and it will be another fun event!

XI. Public Comment

• Pat Buede: Memorial Hwy asked the following questions: 
  • What coves did not get dredged or cleaned out?  Answer: There were several but most of them did not need them as most of the sediment was more to the channel but it did reach several coves that have been addressed.
  • What is the wall of sand/mud in the river? Answer: The water level in the river is higher 991.5. This area will be reshape before lake is at full pond.

Closed Session

Town Council entered a closed session in accordance with G.S. 143-318-11 (a) (3) for the purpose of Attorney Client Privilege

XII. Adjournment 

The meeting was adjourned.