SCOOP: Chimney Rock officials consider short-term rentals amid recovery from Hurricane Helene
With the town still closed eight months later, leaders weigh balancing disaster recovery, community safety, and economic revival, Mayor Peter O'Leary says
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As the scars from Hurricane Helene's devastating impact continue to heal, Chimney Rock Village officials are moving forward with plans to regulate short-term rentals, even as the town remains closed to the public. I exclusively reported that officials plan to remove the security checkpoint on May 30.
The Chimney Rock Village Planning Board is planning to hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 27, at 3 p.m. at the Chimney Rock Volunteer Fire Department (109 Terrace Drive) to review applications for conditional use permits for short-term rental properties. “Short-term rentals are only allowed within Chimney Rock Village municipal limits if approved and have a Conditional Use Permit for rental. The Village Council will review applications and the Planning Board recommendations and will consider these at the Council Workshop meeting on June 2 at 5:30 p.m.,” the town’s website said. “The Village Council will also determine if the Village is ready to allow Short-term Rentals to begin on June 28, 2025.”
However, the town remains closed to the public as recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene continue. The hurricane, which struck on September 27, 2024, had a total of 107 deaths in NC and $60 billion in damage statewide, according to officials. Chimney Rock Village, a small mountain town of about 140 residents, was severely hit, with a third of its businesses destroyed, and one woman died after refusing to evacuate from her home at 197 Southside Drive. Lisa Peeler Brady, 53, was found in Lake Lure on October 2, 2024.
“Access to the village is currently restricted to property owners in certain areas east of Burntshirt Vineyard. Visitors are not permitted, and access passes are not being granted. Infrastructure, roads, and utilities are still under repair, and the Chimney Rock attraction at Chimney Rock State Park remains closed until further notice,” the town’s website said.
Mayor Peter O’Leary described the scale of destruction that Hurricane Helene left behind. “We lost 30% of our business community, we lost all the bridges in town, and many of the homes were destroyed,” O’Leary told the AP. “The face of the village has been changed forever.”
Despite the damage, many volunteers have joined the effort to rebuild. “We’ve had more than 2,000 volunteers come to help,” O’Leary said. Faith-based disaster relief groups like Spokes of Hope and the Amish and Mennonite communities from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, have provided skilled labor and unflagging commitment. “They’re fantastic workers — skilled at carpentry, cement work, rebuilding foundations, and more,” O’Leary said.
The volunteers have made a meaningful difference for local business owners like Nick and Kristen Sottile, whose Broad River Inn was almost destroyed. “The river destroyed its foundation, and they were on the verge of tearing it down,” O’Leary told NPR. “But the Amish volunteers stepped in, helping them pour a new foundation and secure the building. Without this help, they wouldn’t have been able to afford the repairs. Without these volunteers, I truly believe Chimney Rock might have become a ghost town.”
The properties under consideration for short-term rental permits include:
175 Ambler Lane (Szabo)
375 Main Street (Banz)
385 Main Street (O’Leary)
322 Southside Drive (Duffy/Hague)
144 Terrace Drive (O’Leary)
338 Terrace Drive (Favio)
346 Terrace Drive (Jones)
369 Terrace Drive (Grossbeck)
373 Terrace Drive (Grossbeck)
398 Terrace Drive (Tateman)
413 Terrace Drive (Lewis)
430/432, 434/436, 438/440, 442/444, and 446/448 Terrace Drive (Cauthren)
“This is so massive, the destruction,” O’Leary said. “It’s literally going to take us years to rebuild everything, particularly the infrastructure, the roads, and bridges.” But even as recovery continues, village leaders are moving forward with plans to balance economic recovery with community resilience, ensuring that future development aligns with the town’s character and safety considerations.
Although the town remains closed to the public, officials can’t deny access to government meetings under state law. Residents and property owners are encouraged to attend these public meetings and share their perspectives. If you record tomorrow’s meeting, please send me an email with the recording. I plan to be at the county commissioners’ budget workshop meeting in Rutherfordton (I’ve written extensively about those issues. Tip: If you’re coming from the east, tell checkpoint security that you’re going to the firehouse for the public meeting.)
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
Three Things to Watch as Chimney Rock Rebuilds
As the town works to recover from Hurricane Helene and weighs regulations for short-term rentals, here are three things to watch:
1️⃣ Recovery vs. Regulation
With the town still closed to the public and infrastructure under repair, approving short-term rentals as early as June 28, 2025, raises questions about safety and readiness. Will leaders prioritize recovery before reopening tourism?
2️⃣ Transparency in Decision-Making
The list of properties includes high-profile locals like the mayor and members of the Chimney Rock Task Force. Will the Planning Board and Village Council ensure a fair, transparent process during the May 27 and June 2 meetings?
3️⃣ Emergency Response Concerns
As tourism returns and roads remain under repair, how will local public safety handle increased strain? Strong planning is needed to avoid stretching resources thin.
Cops & Congress will be watching how Chimney Rock balances recovery, transparency, and safety.
🏛️ All those mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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