Land Conservation Advisory Board Meeting: August 19, 2026

Meeting Overview The Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory Board convened on August 19, 2026, for its regular meeting. The session began with the unanimous approval of the agenda for the current meeting and the minutes from the previous meeting held on July 15, 2026. No members of the public were present, and there was no public comment period during the session.

Key Decisions and Votes The primary action taken by the Board was the approval of the Kemp Sequoia project. Council Member David recused himself from the vote due to a conflict of interest. The motion to approve the project was made by Speaker 2 and seconded by Lang. The Board voted unanimously in favor of the project, clearing it for recommendation to the Commissioners. No other motions or votes were recorded during this meeting.

Discussion Highlights Staff provided comprehensive updates on several ongoing land conservation initiatives. They reported that the 336-acre Camp Rockmont Lake Eden Preserve closed on August 5, marking a significant milestone for a long-term project. Additionally, the Pinnacle Knob Slopes Conservation Easement, funded by the Board, is expected to close in October. Staff also announced new agricultural grant applications for Madison and Mitchell counties, noting these are outside Buncombe County for the current cycle.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on a $2 million Phoenix Species Project, part of a larger $1 billion global fund from the Bezos and DiCaprio foundations. Staff detailed efforts to protect endangered species in Western North Carolina, including the Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander, southern bog turtle, and Appalachian elktoe. Staff highlighted the hiring of an aquatics biologist to manage easements for these species. Speaker 6 clarified that distinguishing between the general green salamander and the critically imperiled Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander requires DNA analysis, noting that habitat loss and the need for old-growth forest shading outcrops are major threats.

Regarding future funding, staff discussed supporting a bond measure expected in November. Staff emphasized their neutrality, stating they could answer basic questions but could not share detailed presentations or take a side position until the bond passes. The Board also reviewed a new three-month approval process, which includes a site visit and an extra meeting. Speaker 1 noted that while the process was helpful, it might not be necessary for every single project. Consequently, the Board granted staff discretion to choose between a standard two-month process and the new three-month process based on the volume and complexity of applications.

Community Input There was no public comment period, and no members of the public were in attendance. As such, there was no direct community input or testimony recorded for this session.

Follow-ups and Next Steps Several action items were agreed upon to support ongoing projects:

• Bond and Poll Information: Staff agreed to send the board members the link to the bond presentation and the WLOS poll link.
• Species Documentation: Staff agreed to provide photographs and background material regarding the Appalachian elktoe and Hickory Nut Gorge green salamander.
• Commissioner Presentation: Staff will coordinate with Michelle to schedule a presentation to the Commissioners for September or early October, alongside other new projects.
• Process Discretion: Staff (Ariel/Speaker 5) was given the discretion to determine whether to use a two-month or three-month approval process for future applications.
• November Event Planning: The Board is planning a conservation and farmland preservation meeting in November in the Jupiter area. While the primary plan is to coordinate catering with a local barbecue restaurant due to capacity constraints, Council Member 3 agreed to attempt to contact local farmers for food and will keep staff updated on any results.