Land Conservation Advisory Board Meeting: Sep. 17, 2025

Meeting Overview The Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory Board (LCAB) held a virtual meeting via Zoom on September 17, 2025. The session focused on evaluating conservation projects presented in August, receiving updates from land conservation agencies, and discussing new funding requests. The board also addressed administrative matters, including the approval of previous minutes and the adoption of the current agenda.

Key Decisions The board took several formal actions during the meeting. First, the members approved the minutes from the August 20, 2025, meeting. Second, the board adopted a revised agenda that moved the project evaluation discussions to the beginning of the meeting to accommodate a member’s schedule. Most significantly, the board voted to approve two conservation projects for recommendation to the county commissioners:

• North McDarris Ridge: The project received a strong evaluation score of 82.8 and was unanimously approved.
• Pinnacle Knob Slopes: The project received an evaluation score of 66 and was unanimously approved.

Discussion Highlights A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to updates from land conservation agencies. Representatives from the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) and Conserve Carolina provided status reports on ongoing initiatives, including the acquisition of the Bull Creek Preserve and related easement work. Additionally, Ariel Zijp from the Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District (BCSWCD) reported that the Agricultural Advisory Board had approved seven new projects for agricultural growth zone funding, many of which are located in the Newfound community.

The board also engaged in a detailed discussion regarding proposed conservation easements on Warren Wilson College land. The conversation addressed the complexities of securing funding from multiple sources, including state, federal, and private grants, as well as the balance between public access and private property rights, particularly concerning exclusions for existing structures. The Chair emphasized the importance of members identifying themselves when speaking to improve clarity.

Follow-ups Several next steps were identified during the meeting:

• Ariel Zijp agreed to share a list of the seven Agricultural Growth Zone projects approved by the Agricultural Advisory Board with LCAB members.
• The board will coordinate a site visit for the Hall Creek Headwaters easement.
• Current board members are encouraged to share information about four expiring positions with potential candidates to aid in recruitment.
• Staff will plan and publicize details for an upcoming meeting scheduled for October 23 in Upper Hominy Valley, which will focus on conservation efforts with landowners.
• The board will continue to monitor the state budget regarding potential funding for the Warren Wilson easements.

Impact These decisions and discussions impact residents by advancing specific conservation efforts in the county. The approval of the North McDarris Ridge and Pinnacle Knob Slopes projects moves these properties closer to formal protection, with the board’s recommendation now heading to the county commissioners. The updates on the Warren Wilson College easements and the Agricultural Growth Zone projects provide transparency into how county and partner funds are being allocated to protect land, manage water resources, and support agricultural lands in areas such as Newfound.