Buncombe commissioners to consider farmland preservation in Leicester

At its Oct. 16 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider paying $18,000 in transaction costs for a conservation easement on a 57-acre farm in Leicester.

The request comes from the Buncombe County Agricultural Advisory Board, and would help preserve land from development along Sluder Branch Road. The rest of the $440,000 in costs for the Jeffers Farm easement would be covered by a mix of private donations, state and federal grants.

Newfound Creek flows along the property; plans call for a 70-foot buffer zone to help improve its water quality. The land is adjacent to the Sycamore Valley Farm, which is already protected with a conservation easement. Several of the the commissioners have previously said that preserving Buncombe County farmland from development is a top priority.

During the Oct. 16 session, the board will also consider zoning property used by the Asheville Regional Airport and the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center that was recently transferred from Asheville to county jurisdiction.

The board will meet at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 16, in the commissioners’ chambers, located at 30 Valley St. 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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