Commissioners to consider Long Mountain conservation easement

Image via the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy power point presentation

On Nov. 19, Buncombe Commissioners will consider spending $69,000 on a conservation easement to protect 121 aces of land from development on Long Mountain in the Upper Hominey area.

The county funding would go towards covering some of the transaction and purchase costs. It would leverage $255,700 in grants and donations by the landowner. The property includes a rare mountainside wetland and is visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The land is currently on the market, and without a conservation easement, could be purchased for development.

The Land Conservation Advisory Board and Planning Department are both recommending that commissioners approve the funding.

In other business, commissioners will consider a request to rezone 10.8 acres of land at 499 Long Shoals Road from “Residential District” to “Employment District” to allow more development. Planning staff as well as the Planning Board are both recommending that commissioners approve the change.

Also on the agenda: Commissioners will hear a presentation on the county’s annual financial report.

The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, in the commissioner’s chambers, located at 200 College Street, suite 326. A short pre-meeting review of the agenda will begin at 4:15 p.m.

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About Jake Frankel
Jake Frankel is an award-winning journalist who enjoys covering a wide range of topics, from politics and government to business, education and entertainment.

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