Town of Black Mountain Regular Town Council Meeting, September 14, 2026

Black Mountain Town Council Meeting Recap – September 14, 2026

The Black Mountain Town Council convened on September 14, 2026, for their regular meeting. The session covered a broad range of topics, from recognizing local heroes to addressing significant concerns about town planning and financial oversight. This recap aims to provide residents with a clear understanding of the key discussions, decisions, and next steps resulting from this important meeting.

The Council began by honoring four local citizens – Andrew Caloris, Philip Whiting, Christian Maloney, and Philip James Thompson – with the Citizen of Valor Award for their courageous intervention during an incident at the Trailhead Restaurant. Following this recognition, the Council unanimously approved a proclamation designating September 25th as "Dolly Parton 925 Recognition Day," celebrating her enduring contributions to music, philanthropy, and the Appalachian community.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on ongoing projects. The Bear Wise Advisory Group presented their progress toward achieving bear wise community recognition, outlining plans for an October public hearing regarding amendments to town ordinances concerning nuisance feeding. This aims to clarify regulations and introduce fines for actions that attract bears, while preserving the right to responsible bird feeding. Updates were also provided on the $5 million Local Assistance for Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements Program grant, detailing progress on flood mitigation and riverbank stabilization projects within the Swannanoa River Corridor. The project has faced some delays due to state approval processes and adjustments necessitated by recent storm damage, but is moving forward.

Perhaps the most substantial discussion centered on concerns raised regarding the Black Mountain Planning Department. Several residents and business owners shared experiences detailing issues with record management, inconsistent enforcement of regulations, a perceived lack of transparency, and concerns about potential retaliation. Specific businesses like Open Oven, Black Mountain Brewing, The Rail Yard, and Oak & Grist were mentioned as facing challenges. Adding to these concerns, Cheryl Hyde brought forward serious allegations of financial irregularities within the water department, specifically questioning a $340,000 payment to an unlicensed contractor. While the council acknowledged the seriousness of these concerns, no immediate action was taken beyond a commitment to investigate the financial irregularities.

Beyond planning department issues, the council also addressed concerns about parking congestion around the post office, directing the Police Department to explore potential solutions like signage and angled parking. Regarding public safety, a motion was approved authorizing the Town Manager to secure a structural engineering firm (within a $10,000 budget) to assess the condition of the Public Safety Building. Finally, a minor adjustment was made to rental fees for the Lakeview Clubhouse facility to account for increased cleaning costs.

What's Next? Residents are encouraged to attend the Town Council Forum on September 23rd. A public hearing will be scheduled in October to discuss the proposed nuisance feeding ordinance amendments. The Police Department will investigate parking solutions near the post office, and the Bear Wise Advisory Group will continue their community education efforts. Crucially, an investigation into the financial concerns raised regarding payments to Charlie Gross/TSK Water Works will be initiated, and a structural assessment of the Public Safety Building is underway.

This meeting highlighted both ongoing progress within Black Mountain and areas requiring focused attention to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery. The council’s commitment to investigating the planning department and water department concerns will be closely watched by residents, as these issues directly impact businesses and the overall quality of life in our community.