The Town of Beech Mountain has engaged a team of consultants headed by Hill Studio and Civic by Design to develop a plan for the town’s commercial district. They are working with town leadership, residents, businesses, and property owners to create a plan for a walkable, accessible center of town which reduces the traffic impact on the Beech Mountain Parkway and allows space for mixed-use residential and retail, services, dining, and lodging. The consulting team includes planners, architects, transportation consultants, data analysts, and economists.
The Town of Beech Mountain is gathering your thoughts on the look and feel of our future Town Center. Two public Visual Preferences sessions were held on October 2nd, with more than 150 people attending throughout the day. The excellent feedback from our participants will help shape what our town will look like in the future. Input and participation is welcome through November 6th through the online Visual Preference survey, which can be accessed here: https://share.google/hK5UNQeb0gxajFFiE
The aim of this project is to create an area which will be a livable, walkable, sustainable “heart of the town.” The plan includes mixed-use buildings where small shops, restaurants, and services can locate, residential options at all price points, many of which will allow the town’s workers to find smaller, affordable units to rent long-term or purchase, connecting streets to route traffic away from the Beech Mountain Parkway, and on-street parking to accommodate all parking needs. It will be phased in over 20-30 years, to keep pace with the town’s infrastructure, capacity, and needs.
The current phase of the new Commercial Downtown District planning project focuses on Zoning Ordinance changes to create the new district, along with Design Guidelines that will shape how future buildings look and work together. Your input helps ensure new development reflects the character that makes the Town of Beech Mountain so special.
More information about the Downtown Commercial District Planning Process is available here Commercial District Planning Project – Town of Beech Mountain
Town of Beech Mountain Charrette Week 2, July 2025- Youtube
Town of Beech Mountain Design Charrette Week 1, May 2025 – YouTube
Town Council Presentation October 14, 2025
Beech Mountain Report Draft Rev4 pages format for printing
May 12th, 2026 Town Council Presentation with Financial Analysis
This will be a long-term plan, which envisions careful, sustainable growth over twenty years. We appreciate the community members who have already been part of this process, and welcome anyone who wants to participate! For more information, contact Bob Pudney at rpudney@townofbeechmountain.com, Preston Yates at planner@townofbeechmountain.com, or Kate Gavenus at kgavenus@townofbeechmountain.com
Beech Mtn – Commercial District Planning – First Charrette Scrapbook