Land Conservation Advisory Board Meeting | October 21, 2026

The Buncombe County Land Conservation Advisory Board met on October 21, 2026, to hear land-conservation project updates and review its evaluation criteria for funding proposals. Southern Highland Conservancy reported that a conservation easement protecting more than 300 acres at Lake Eden Preserve had closed, and that a donated easement for the Diana Stone Pinnacle Knob Slopes property is being prepared for a December closing. Another organization reported acquiring a 4.5-acre Swannanoa parcel, with flood benching planned for this winter using Floodplain Blueprint program funding and passive public access to follow. Gateway Park and the Azalea Preserve are progressing through permitting; Gateway Park construction is anticipated this winter. The board also heard that a new Leicester project had been approved by the Agricultural Advisory Board and is scheduled for presentation to county commissioners on November 5.

The board discussed revisions to the LCAP project evaluation form, including scoring for biological value, forest protection, and leveraged funding. Members supported clarifying lower-value criteria, considering a three-level forest-value scale, and specifying that partial or full charitable donations can count among funding sources. Staff will revise and circulate the form for review before the board considers adoption at its November meeting. No contract awards, vendor selections, or purchasing approvals were identified. The board voted to adjourn.