[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6462627,"mediaKeyId","5798680-e2daf01b9b4da51a7b45b497a605f738","parentId",5798680,"title","Warren Wilson easement package seeks county bond support as state grant awards remain uncertain","audioSeconds",755,"startMs",2870000,"endMs",3625000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798680-e2daf01b9b4da51a7b45b497a605f738&start=2870&end=3625","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798680-e2daf01b9b4da51a7b45b497a605f738/thumbnail_2870000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462627/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Warren-Wilson-easement-package-seeks-county-bond-support-as-state-grant-awards-remain-uncertain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462627-6dc7d90c29c7ec845a48cdd64546949a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775140265&Signature=mor0RcAZdM8en8M8AbMfM00kqZfABHFPrUrmq4cuJ-7H8HX-Jioi20QWwxT2mpzJ~RoXZUNqOZMZn44xynsP9IXTsTp1zfa1L8XnGtjjD-WtLiRvIBZm-H88-X8nmHBce9FIeZ0aY2ZZ8imuRi7W88dLe9uenMZznmejgV5QwIuROjzXWaj1cvei8N~G2fz9jAGkmy1hCqMCIn7SMhLk0cZXXJDpuZHHnmMQlgdrPzb2aKPchzKyW6R5oTgjrru3PoaBImhxJWQL5W8bvQUs6P2k5t34HFWfjdQ5ehZVhES51JKcfWqov~HbTDvjaEd-BHKzkxGMgnRv2fuUl--87Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Buncombe County, NC","date","2025-09-19T20:01:39Z","article","Representatives from Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and Buncombe County staff presented a multi‑parcel conservation package for Warren Wilson College land to the Land Conservation Advisory Board, describing four proposed agricultural/conservation easements that together total roughly 600 acres and additional adjacent land SHC plans to purchase outright (the Berea Tract, roughly 190 acres).

Presenters said the package is structured to qualify for multiple funding sources. U.S. Department of Agriculture (NRCS) funding has been committed for parts of the project, and applicants submitted multiple North Carolina Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation (ADFP) applications; some of the easements ranked at or near the top of the state lists, but ADFP funding is subject to the state budget process and is uncertain. The presenters said county bond funds previously approved for transaction costs (about $300,000 previously authorized by the board/commission) cover closing expenses already and that the request now is for bond funding toward purchase price gaps if ADFP or other expected funds are not awarded.

SHC requested that LCAB recommend county bond funding to cover a base amount (presenters identified $483,888 as a floor the group expects will be required) and asked the board to authorize flexibility to apply additional county funds if several ADFP awards do not come through. Presenters described a funding “seesaw” scenario: if one or more ADFP awards are confirmed, SHC would reduce its county request accordingly and return county funds for use on other projects; if ADFP funds do not materialize, county bond funds would be used to complete the closings. Presenters asked LCAB to recommend funding three of the four easements (the three that were not ranked as the state’s top #1 in different ADFP regions), to ensure projects can proceed rather than wait another year for a reapplication cycle.

The board discussed stewardship, public access, building envelopes, and the design intent behind four separate easement units (the four‑easement design was described as preserving marketable estate units in case the college needed to sell property in the future). Presenters showed maps of building and farmstead envelopes, explained that some envelopes already contain existing agricultural structures, and said the smallest easement unit contains about 96 acres (so reserved residential building envelopes are large and low density). The presenters noted Helene‑related flooding highlighted the downstream benefits of large conserved floodplain and pasture areas; they expect an anticipated closing in 2027 because of the timing of state and federal grant reviews.

No board vote was taken at this meeting; LCAB members asked staff for follow-up material including title and stewardship obligations and signaled interest in at least one site visit. Presenters said private and federal funding commitments are in place for parts of the package and that county bond funds are being requested largely as contingency to ensure timely closings.

Key details
- Project: four agricultural/conservation easements totaling roughly 600 acres; Berea Tract purchase by SHC ~190 acres (SHC purchase not requested from LCAB).
- Funding landscape: NRCS funds committed for parts of the package; multiple ADFP applications submitted with rankings (some easements ranked #1 in state-area lists; others ranked #6, #10 and #14); county previously authorized ~ $300,000 for transaction costs; presenters identified $483,888 as an amount they expect to be needed at minimum for purchase-price funding and asked LCAB to authorize a contingency allocation if state funds are not awarded.
- Stewardship/design: four separate easement units to maintain marketability and working-land values; a mix of farmstead and agricultural building envelopes; smallest unit size noted ~96 acres; some farmstead envelopes include existing agricultural structures.
- Timing: federal and state grant approvals are slow; presenters said the anticipated closing is 2027 and asked LCAB to move quickly so committed federal funds can be spent before potential changes in funding conditions.

Board members asked for additional documentation on boundaries, stewardship obligations, and any exclusions; they also discussed whether public access would be required (presenters said bond-funded passive-recreation elements could include trail improvements, but easement funds themselves do not automatically require public access). LCAB did not make a funding recommendation at this meeting; staff and presenters will follow up with detailed budgets and scheduling.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Land Conservation Advisory Board Meeting: Sep. 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and Warren Wilson College outlined a four‑easement, roughly 600‑acre package; presenters asked LCAB for county bond funding to cover purchase price gaps if state ADFP grant awards do not materialize, and the board discussed timing and stewardship.","taxTitle","Buncombe County, North Carolina","taxId",3914,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462632,"Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy seeks Buncombe County funds for Haw Creek Headwaters easement",638,1438000,2076000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798680-e2daf01b9b4da51a7b45b497a605f738&start=1438&end=2076","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798680-e2daf01b9b4da51a7b45b497a605f738/thumbnail_1438000.jpg","/articles/6462632/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/Southern-Appalachian-Highlands-Conservancy-seeks-Buncombe-County-funds-for-Haw-Creek-Headwaters-easement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462632-be926c7e4f940ca9dee5d9ebfdea5e41/orig.mp4?Expires=1775140265&Signature=ceiHpf5b5~ml~KYPgSmHMyNLuLPUcJbwdvh6bhuyUTKVA-rH5~O1yOiuBf-TW0s36LBlLzYfVvL4XlnZE8yjv-x7FtMK6QyCzNCkAtVWTTuMMY6fxPkmT6VaqKuUAGsn7hegB6BfUaip2sRE9Mv5tIWLQqY9rzG3oXm4z5INf1LTBUkjfEYF7lt~xKPfQcpJA8AHswYOdvcGNcwnV1p3a4eAsPRV-UK6x0Rca2LZvHDsfpUqSs9P~32LQlxqbje22xPJ8tXYgBM0GWwIYRXUmZDIW60A~PqRoIQkhinPznzhitgQdvo6eQTkJZc0eQpio3PZPMYVMAxxxM23lmfS1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy representative presented the Haw Creek Headwaters conservation easement to the Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory Board, describing a 63-acre property on upper Haw Creek visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway and connected to local trails and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

The presenter told the board the property is a bargain sale: SHC estimated full market value at about $1.1 million (roughly $18,000 per acre) and estimated the conservation easement value at about 60 percent of that. SHC negotiated a purchase price of $400,000 with the landowners, Terry and Christine Latanich, and requested that Buncombe County provide half of the purchase price. For transaction costs — estimated at $81,000 — SHC requested $54,000 from the county and said private donors (named in the presentation as Brad and Shelly Stanback) would provide the remaining match. The presenter said the county share amounts to about 33 percent of the project budget and that SHC would seek the rest from private donors and the landowners’ bargain sale.

The presentation highlighted conservation values: the property lies directly under the Haw Creek Valley overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway and is visible from two City of Asheville parks (Masters Park and Charlie Bullman Park); it contains six stream segments, including two headwater streams; it is within the Audubon Society’s Bull Creek Important Bird Area; and it scored above average for climate resilience in The Nature Conservancy’s analysis for the region. The presenter also noted an historical association with the Sandley House (listed in the meeting material as a National Register property) about a quarter-mile north of the site, and that the acreage contains social hiking trails with informal connections to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.

Board members raised questions about public access, steep slopes and buildable home-site details. One board member asked whether the conservation easement could require continued public access to hiking trails; a SHC representative and county staff explained that North Carolina law does not permit an easement to compel a landowner to take a specific management action, so an easement can make access allowable but generally cannot legally require it. Jess (land-conservation staff) added that easements can require conservation plans and recommend best management practices and that NRCS conservation plans are typically referenced in agricultural easements.

A question about access routes drew a response that the owner had assured SHC there is a deeded right-of-way from Sonley (Sondley/Sandley) Road and that title work had just been initiated. Board members asked the presenter to verify steep-slope overlays and to show a more precise building-envelope footprint; the presenter said a roughly four-acre building envelope had been identified on the application and that the parkway’s guidelines for minimizing visibility would be included in easement language.

SHC requested that the board schedule a follow-up site visit. The board did not vote on the Haw Creek Headwaters easement during this meeting; members asked staff to send site-visit options and further maps and materials.

Key details
- Property: Haw Creek Headwaters, 63 acres, landowners Terry and Christine Latanich.
- Preservation values: viewshed to Blue Ridge Parkway, two headwater streams, adjacency to public parks and trail connections, Audubon Bull Creek IBA, climate-resilience score above local average.
- Finance presented: market-value estimate ~$1,100,000; estimated easement value ~60% ($680,000); negotiated purchase price $400,000; SHC requested Buncombe County provide half of the negotiated purchase price and $54,000 toward an estimated $81,000 in transaction costs; private donors named as match.
- Status: no board vote; SHC expects a spring closing; staff to arrange site visit and follow-up materials for the board.

Board members asked SHC and staff to provide the title review, steep-slope determination, and the precise building-envelope map ahead of any future vote.","SHC presented a request for Buncombe County support of a 63‑acre conservation easement in Haw Creek, citing viewshed, headwater streams and public-trail connectivity; the board did not take a final vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6462636,"LCAB approves two conservation projects, adopts minutes and revised agenda",33,1037000,1070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5798680-e2daf01b9b4da51a7b45b497a605f738&start=1037&end=1070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5798680-e2daf01b9b4da51a7b45b497a605f738/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","/articles/6462636/Buncombe-County/North-Carolina/LCAB-approves-two-conservation-projects-adopts-minutes-and-revised-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462636-fa1d5c7060231b9e114e9aeced4716a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775140265&Signature=eMneAa-cdzpDchoYJFpfqmsAehbiH81E1XlwB6OC3Wf8-ZXoYErkL0rJeB6Na5rMVJlOLoyopfiFIE-TWsZzz5iLtm0sh35yAdasrUBdfGl8c3y6lH4v~H44ZFPDg7mjbfUqDsnvpXsBKEQ1HeuUtfvBZTu1tug6N56QTm~kxrYWxwwoFmZRpUa~GOCNvFkWkx-bvGZs9bMw90QHBq2BtxVQiTj7kI~E~TZNGITXCr0qfbl8JPn75perZC0BwaAUHfIMhvoGRAacpX5EWe7Q4k9V1PIhlDxLWPz~g69FglGJj3omZLoq2dvCViNBx2VOlUfU6SEk5Xcc3OokKhMAZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory Board voted to recommend two conservation easements — Pinnacle Slopes and North McDerris Ridge — to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and approved routine meeting business during its regular meeting (date not specified).

The board first approved last month’s minutes and then adopted a revised agenda that moved the project evaluations and votes to the start of the meeting to accommodate a member's schedule. After discussion and site-visit reports from board members, the board voted separately to recommend Pinnacle Slopes and North McDerris Ridge to the county commissioners for funding and final approval.

Board members described both properties as showing strong conservation values during site visits. Bob Gale, who made the motion to accept the Pinnacle Slopes negotiated contract, spoke in support; Nancy (last name not specified) seconded that motion. The board approved the Pinnacle Slopes recommendation by voice vote. Gale then seconded the motion accepting North McDerris Ridge, which the board also approved by voice vote.

The motions are recommendations only: board members clarified that acceptance by LCAB sends a positive recommendation to the county commissioners, who make the final decision and the allocation of county funds.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve last month’s minutes. Mover: unnamed (recorded in transcript). Second: Bob Gale. Outcome: passed (voice vote).
- Motion: Adopt revised agenda (to move project votes to the beginning). Mover: unnamed. Second: recorded. Outcome: passed (voice vote).
- Motion: Recommend Pinnacle Slopes (negotiated contract) to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Mover: Bob Gale. Second: Nancy (surname not specified). Vote record: Bob Gale (yes); other board members voiced \"aye.\" Outcome: approved (recommendation to commissioners).
- Motion: Recommend North McDerris Ridge to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Mover: unnamed board member. Second: Bob Gale. Vote record: Bob Gale (yes); other board members voiced \"aye.\" Outcome: approved (recommendation to commissioners).

Board members and staff said the next step is to place the projects on the commissioners’ agenda for formal county approval and funding. The board will work with SHC and staff on presentations to the commissioners and on scheduling.","Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory Board approved motions to recommend two conservation projects to county commissioners and formally approved meeting minutes and a revised agenda that moved the project votes to the top.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Warren Wilson easement package seeks county bond support as state grant awards remain uncertain

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy seeks Buncombe County funds for Haw Creek Headwaters easement

LCAB approves two conservation projects, adopts minutes and revised agenda