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Planning commission approves proposed 240–243‑acre conservation easement with Virginia Outdoors Foundation
Summary
The Wythe County Planning Commission voted to approve a conservation easement offered to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation covering roughly 240–243 acres in the Blacklick/Crawfish Valley area; the easement is permanent, limits subdivision and development (generally to one house) and allows timbering only under an approved pre‑harvest plan.
The Wythe County Planning Commission on May 4 approved a proposed conservation easement on roughly 240–243 acres in the Blacklick District/Crawfish Valley, the commission heard.
Harry Hibbits, representing the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, told the commission the easement would “limit any division of the property,” generally permit one house, and place development and footprint restrictions on the parcel. “They’re they’re forever,” Hibbits said when asked whether VOF easements are permanent. He added that timbering would be allowed only under a pre‑harvest plan and in coordination with the Virginia Department of Forestry and that the deed would include targeted buffers on waterways.
The VOF representative said the foundation holds about 75 easement projects in Wythe County and nearly one million acres statewide across its portfolio. He also said the foundation brings projects to its board of trustees quarterly and intends to put this project on the VOF June agenda pending local comment.
Commission staff described the site as backing up to National Forest land and said the property is roughly 240–243 acres. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about timber management, resale with the easement attached, and the mechanics for removing or replacing an easement in exceptional circumstances; Hibbits said removal or conversion would require judicial proceedings and replacement acreage and could trigger repayment of state tax credits.
A committee member moved to recommend the easement and another commissioner seconded the motion. The commission voted to approve the recommendation; the chair announced the motion carried and the planning commission approved the easement.
Next steps: the VOF will consider the parcel at a future VOF board meeting (presenter indicated June), and the easement process proceeds through the foundation’s acceptance and deed recording.
