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Etowah News

Land trust buying riverfront property at Seven Falls

Once envisioned as an upscale Arnold Palmer-designed golf course at the Seven Falls Golf & River Club, a 146-acre tract on the French Broad River could become a public park. The land that was to charted for the golf course for the failed Seven Falls development is under contract to Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy, which plans to preserve the riverfront property and would like to ultimately make it available to the public for walking trails and passive recreation. Marketed under a new name that tries to put the Seven Falls debacle in the past, the property is listed for $716,000. It contains 14 acres of lakes and ponds and nearly a mile of frontage on the French Broad River, the sales agent says.Seven Falls left the community with “a black eye and that was unfortunate,” said listing agent Terri King, CEO of the Western North Carolina Coldwell Banker office. “But what we’re doing is we’ve sat down with the owners of this property, we’ve looked at the property, went over it very carefully and said, ‘How can we set this sale up so this becomes a very positive piece of property for the future of the community and how do we set it up so whoever comes in has an opportunity to be a good steward of the land?’ That didn’t happen the first go-round. I’ve presented this property in a way that would draw the buyer that did have an interest in moving forward in a positive direction for the community.” Kieran Roe, executive director of CMLC, said the land trust had been aware of the property for several years. "We had been talking to Scott McElrath for a while and when we learned recently that they were putting it on the market for a lower price than he'd been mentioning we decided that there was enough importance to the site in terms of conservation that it was something we wanted to pursue," he said. "It is right along the French Broad, it's about 80 percent in the floodplain and it has a tributary creek that flows into the French Broad," he said. "We've really begun to regard land along the French Broad and land of that character to be a high priority in terms of retention of water quality, restoration of the bottom land and wetlands protection." If the sale is consummated, CMLC may explore ways to allow public access. "We would need to work with partners on those kind of things," Roe said. "Ideally for us, a public park would be ultimately owned and managed by a local government entity so probably general public access would await for us to create that park with a partner." In the seven years since Seven Falls was selling lots, the buyers have had either no news or bad news about the future of the 1,400-acre tract of land. Seven Falls developer Keith Vinson is serving an 18-year prison sentence on fraud charges arising from the development. The Henderson County ultimately exhausted all avenues for trying to jumpstart infrastructure improvements and lot owners are in mediation over how to distribute $5.5 million from a surety bond. Now, at least those owners know that one of the most precious natural features will be preserved. "I would hope that people who have lots in that development and anybody else in that part of the county would see what we're trying to do as a positive step," Roe said. "Part of what we're creating is an amenity that would be different from what was once envisioned and it's creating an amenity not just for those nearby residents but for other people. Seven Falls is kind of a poster child for failed development in Western North Carolina but we've been involved with a number of these kind of post-economic downturn situations where we can take some lemons and make some lemonade and make a positive public benefit." The part that is most important from a conservation point of view is along the river. Along the road, the developer built the clubhouse and put in some roads. The CMLC is interested in selling that part. "We'd look for a partner that might see that area as maybe a good place for some sort of business that might see proximity to the river as a good place to locate," he said. Developer Scott McElrath, who has built subdivisions in Mills River and is currently a real estate broker in Brevard, owns land on either side of Pleasant Grove Road. The sales agents have rebranded the 146-acre as the Pleasant Grove Valley River Park and are marketing a 208-acre piece across the road as the Pleasant Grove Valley Meadows tract. The 208-acre tract has a list price of $2.2 million, and the sellers are offering to sell an 80-acre northern parcel and a 128-acre southern parcel. King does not have a buyer for the Meadows tract yet.“We broke it up for sales purposes into several tracts,” King said. “We feel really good about this (River Park) piece of property. We really painted the picture for the future of this property for just this kind of a buyer. I think we’re heading in the right direction and it’s the right thing for the community.” ‘Perfect for crops, gardens, fishing, bird watching’ The Coldwell Banker website pitched the River park land as “perfect for crops, gardens, fishing, bird watching and river enjoyment” and invites a buyer to “create your conservation, farm, luxurious retreat or eco-development near Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard.”King said she understand that neighboring property owners are curious, and a little concerned, about land sales and what new buyers have in mind. “At this stage we can tell the community that what we have done is set this sale up and presented this property in such a way that it draws the kind of buyer that will be good for the community and good stewards of the land,” King said before the brokers got permission to identify the conservancy as a buyer.The 146- and 208-acre parcels are not part of the individual home lots covered by a bond that guaranteed infrastructure improvements. McElrath’s group, McElrath Carolina Investments, bought dozens of other parcels in the Seven Falls subdivision from a lender. McElrath owes a total of $25,610 in 2016 property taxes on 91 parcels in Seven Falls, according to Henderson County delinquent tax notices published last week in the Hendersonville Lightning.Separately, Seven Falls LLC owns 31 lots with unpaid taxes totaling $3,209, according to the tax listings.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

City's 'Friends of Downtown' a model for volunteerism

The North Carolina Main Street Conference for the fourth year in a row honored honored Historic Downtown Hendersonville for its volunteer  program. The city received an “Award of Merit” during the annual Main Street Awards Ceremony for Best Volunteer Recruitment, Training & Recognition program for Friends of Downtown Hendersonville, a volunteer program. “We were grateful to receive this recognition and happy to bring attention to the nearly all volunteer crew that keeps the downtown program and the events we put on powering forward,” said Lew Holloway Downtown Economic Development Director. In addition to the program award, the N.C. Main Street Conference provides programs with an opportunity to recognize their “Champions.” This year the program took advantage of that opportunity to recognize the chief “show up early and stay late” volunteer energy of Walt Slagel. Slagel has been working with the Friends of Downtown Hendersonville for a little over a year and half, but has used that time to make a big splash. “Whether it is tearing down at R&B in a late evening rain storm or showing up on a cold morning to hang Christmas lights, Walt has found a lot of ways to make our lives easier," said Downtown Promotions Coordinator Dalleen Jackson.At the end of 2016 the city recognized our volunteers for contributing more than 1,800 hours of volunteer time, double the total logged in 2014.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

City announces this year's Rhythm & Brews lineup

The city of Hendersonville announced the lineup of headliners for this summer's Rhythm & Brews season, featuring rock'n'roll, R&B and Americana bands. Beginning in May and running through September, the free outdoor event opens May 18 and continues on the third Thursday on South Main Street between Caswell and Allen streets. The shows feature local singer songwriters at 5 p.m. followed by opening acts at 6 and headliners at 7. This season opens with The Get Right Band, a three piece unit hailing from Asheville. The Get Right Band’s music combines styles from funk and rock n’ roll to reggae. Their melodies are a perfect blend of energy and fun supported by smart lyrics. The band’s newest album was released on August 5, 2016 and was recorded at famed Echo Mountain Studio with production duties assumed by Julian Dreyer, GRB frontman Silas Durocher and group. Dreyer (The Avett Brothers, Zac Brown Band) also engineered and mixed the record which was mastered by six-time Grammy winner Brian Lucey (The Black Keys and Beck). June’s show features the return of the six-piece ensemble Major and the Monbacks, from Norfolk, Va. The band features a lively horn and powerful rhythm section that merges retro 60’s rock and roll with the high energy and horn laden grit of southern soul! Think Chicago meets the Grateful Dead meets The Band and with a new album slated for release this spring, you don’t want to miss this fantastic return to the R&B stage! July’s concert showcases one of the great Americana acts touring today. The Steel Wheels have captured audiences across the country with their heady brew of original soulful mountain music and their deep commitment to roots and community. Based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, the dynamic four-piece string band marries old-time musical traditions with their own innovative sound and lifestyle, generating a truly magnetic revival. With a new album out in 2017 the band is one you won’t want to miss. August swings us back into the world of rock'n'roll with Come Back Alice, with its brand of Southern Gypsy Funk, a blend of rock, soul, gypsy jazz and funk music. With improvisational influences and a love of bands known for killer live performances—including The Band, Dave Matthews, Tom Petty and the Allman Brothers Band—even the biggest Come Back Alice fans don't know what to expect. Fronted by multi-instrumentalist (and newly-weds) Tony Tyler and Dani Jaye, the connection onstage is electric. Switching between slide guitar, B3 organ, Violin, and keys, these two have a knack for captivating audiences with a true Rock N Roll stage presence. Closing out the season is Backup Planet, a progressive funk-rock band based out of Nashville, Tennessee. Elements of jazz, funk, roots, blues, electronic, and progressive rock all emerge during the course of their shows. While their sound draws from much of what you’ve heard before—‘70s rock and funk, high-energy improv, a touch of pop, and a sliver of metal, the band members mix and match those elements—with just a hint of modern tech—in ways that never fail to astonish. With a fantastic repertoire of original songs, they’re able to build fluid sets interspersed with improvisation. The shows will once again feature local brews alongside the best concert line-up in Henderson County. Featured drinks will include the craft brew stylings of Henderson County’s own Sierra Nevada and Southern Appalachian Breweries, wine from Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards and hard cider from Flat Rock Ciderworks and Bold Rock Cider.     Read Story »

Henderson County News

McDonald urges supporters to attend training center Q&A

Peppered by questions from citizens about the cost and need for a $20 million law enforcement training center, Sheriff Charlie McDonald is going on offense. The sheriff will speak next week about the training deputies must undergo to proficiently provide the high quality of service Henderson County residents have come to expect and explain why he believes the new training center is needed. The meeting is at 6 p.m. Monday, March 27, in the Kaplan Auditorium of the public library in Hendersonville. In an email blast, McDonald reminding supporters of a campaign event, the Bluegrass & BBQ, at 5 p.m. Saturday at Apple Valley Middle School, and added that he would like supporters to show up when he defends the law enforcement training center on Monday night. "Also, we would love to have some of Sheriff McDonald's supporters present at his Law Enforcement Training Informational Meeting," the campaign email said. “As your Sheriff, I would like answer questions posed by the citizens of Henderson County about why this training center is needed and how our citizens and law enforcement stand to benefit,” McDonald said in the announcement about the library Q&A. “The proposed facility is not just a shooting range, but a modern facility which allows deputies and police to train effectively in the highest liability aspects of modern law enforcement including all levels of use-of-force, defensive countermeasures and crisis de-escalation skills.” Current training needs and features provided by the proposed Law Enforcement Training Center, including the backup communications capability and Blue Ridge Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training needs, will be outlined. This presentation is free and open to the public and will be followed by a Q&A.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Hazardous waste collection days set

The Henderson County Solid Waste Division will resume its annual Household Hazardous Waste collections during the spring. The collections are 8:30 a.m. until noon April 11 and May 9 at the Henderson County Convenience Center. The six 2016 event served more than 600 vehicles, collecting more than 38,000 pounds of household materials considered hazardous and regulated as universal waste by the state Department of Environmental Quality. The 2017 Paint Recycling Program will operate at the Transfer Station during the same dates and times. All paint and paint-related materials (except spray paints) incur a $2 per gallon container fee, regardless of the amount within. No dried or solid paints accepted. Please note there is a 30-gallon per individual per event limit on paint recycling during this program. Details on paint purchasing and proper disposal outside of this program are available online at www.hcrecycles.org. The Solid Waste Division does not accept mercury-containing bulbs or related items during the event. Those items can be recycled at the Convenience Center for free Monday-Friday from county households. For a detailed list of acceptable HHW items or mercury products, please visit www.hcrecycles.org. Items brought to the Convenience Center during HHW events should be kept in original containers or packaging, if possible, and should be handled with utmost care. A material ID form must accompany any unlabeled items. You may obtain and complete a material ID form at the event or prior to the event through www.hcrecycles.org. No business or commercial wastes is accepted at this event. Contact Environmental Programs for proper disposal options by calling (828) 694-6524.   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Local NAACP members taking concerns to Raleigh

Frustrated by the actions of elected leaders, members of the NAACP from Henderson and three other mountain counties will travel to Raleigh Tuesday to express their views on pending and past legislation they say hurts minorities and the poor.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Non-custodial mom charged with abducting daughter

The 28-year-old biological mother of a 12-year-old was charged with felony child abduction after she allegedly took her daughter out of a Henderson County school on Thursday and drove with her to Georgia. Selena Bishop, who does not have legal custody of her daughter, was arrested early Saturday morning after she ran out of gas on U.S. 441 near Commerce, Ga. Her daughter, Zoee Bishop-Cantrell, is safe and in protective custody awaiting transportation back to North Carolina, the Henderson County sheriff's office said.      Read Story »

Henderson County News

Publix gets federal OK to build in floodplain

The developer planning to build a Publix store at Hendersonville’s southern gateway is a step closer to getting a permit.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Health Department invites public to sample whole grain foods

Nutritionists at the Department of Public Health are inviting the public to a Whole Grain Sampling Day on Wednesday, March 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the lobby of the department.   Read Story »

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