With great interest, I have been following threads in the newspapers about development in Western North Carolina. Articles, opinions, editorials, and letters regarding the growth within our little region of the world highlight many problems. Most of these writings hide the fact that there are real solutions to these problems and that real people are working to bring them about.

I feel compelled to offer readers a positive, proactive solution, especially after reading the article “At what price Eden?” on pages 9 and 10 of the Feb. 28-March 6 issue of The Smoky Mountain News.

The article misrepresents some facts about sustainable development, and it misrepresents the efforts of a small group of local residents who are actively trying to improve the outcome of development in Western North Carolina. These local residents to whom I refer have come together to plan some unique strategies to counter the effects of uncontrolled development. I am very acquainted with these people (one of them being my husband of 20 years), and I know of their desire to be a force for good here by promoting sustainable development. I also know that their newly-formed company, C3D, and its affiliate, Country Lakes Real Estate, acquired the land in Jackson County referred to at the beginning of the “Eden” article. And this article paints a completely different picture of the company than what I understand it to be.

The article claims that 88.3 acres bordering the author’s residence has been bought by a land development outfit based in Tarpon Springs, Fla., and that this company was planning on converting the river bottomland and adjoining woods into a housing subdevelopment of 50 lots. The article, incorporating negative comments throughout, refers to the “base commerce, dronelike, money-driven culture that has moved in next door.” After reading the bleak picture painted by the article, I became concerned that my understanding of this company’s philosophy was incorrect. So I did some homework and am relieved to report that the article was wrong.

The property bordering the west side of the author’s residence (actually 57.23 acres, according to the land records office) was purchased by a couple, Dave and Debbie Gross, who, along with their 12-year-old son, have a home in Little Canada. I contacted Dave to determine if there was truth to the statements in the article and to get his perspective on the development issues. Here, in part, is his response:

“Along with the other residents of the Little Canada community, my family and I share concerns about profit-motivated development. We, too, hope to live out our lives here in this natural setting and hope that our grandchildren will come to visit us here as we grow old. We purchased the land down the road because of its beauty, location, and our long-term desire to create and protect a unique, community-based neighborhood - utilizing a sustainable development approach. As we found others in the community who embraced this approach and joined in these efforts, C3D began to be born.

“I don’t recall if it was Wadsworth, Dylan or Tennyson who said, ‘The times, they are a changin’.’ Change and growth are imminent. And there are several approaches we can take in dealing with this growth. We can do nothing and hope it goes away - but that isn’t likely. We can rely on the good will of outside developers to put the community before their bottom line and develop sensibly. I don’t think so. We can be reactive and declare, ‘The sky is falling and doom is imminent’ whenever we hear the sounds of change. Or we can be proactive and put our focus and attention on those things we can change or have a positive impact on. We choose this latter option, to be in a position to manage and influence that change and growth. At least then we can set the standards and have some influence over future development in our community.”

So how exactly does the company plan to develop the property? According to Kyle Huff, Caney Fork resident and company co-owner, nearly 40 percent of the land will be preserved in its natural state - never to be developed. The company plans to set aside the 4 acres of river bottom farming land as a common, organic garden for community residents who choose to work the soil. Another 20 acres is slated for conservation at the top of the property. The remaining 33 or so acres will provide affordable homesites for about 15 families and some office space for local business.

Jim Rowe and Kelly Rowe, Little Canada residents and company co-owners, explain how sustainable development fits into their picture. “Sustainable development is all about providing affordable housing, utilizing alternative energy, conserving green belts and common areas, working with the natural landscape, and utilizing local resources efficiently,” explains Jim. “We are employing all of these techniques and are continuing to research and compile reference materials for folks who are interested in sustainable, green development,” adds Kelly. C3D plans to be a positive model and local resource for sustainable development and an incubator for local business. As the company grows, it hopes to be able to conserve larger areas of natural resources. Summing it all up, Dave says, “We are not political activists or lobbyists. Nor do we claim to have the perfect answers to all the growth and development problems. But simply by trying to do the right thing, we can make a difference in the community.”

That being said, I challenge all developers and landowners in WNC to try to make a difference. Do some research. Learn about sustainable development. Employ those techniques. Do the right thing.

The “Eden” article presents some real concerns about what is happening with development in Jackson County. We are losing our culture and way of life - small farms and family holdings, affordable housing, our heritage, and employment opportunities. The article attributes these problems to outside development interests as well as to the population growth epidemic being felt worldwide.

Unless we outlaw childbirth in Jackson County, deny people the opportunity of moving here, and deport those residents who arrived here after a certain time period, we need to deal with increasing population in our region. During the last 15 years of growth, I have known many families putting down roots here. They have learned traditional Appalachian music. Their children know how to clog. They have organic gardens and they tend chickens and goats. Our culture and way of life goes on.

There is space to accommodate everyone - if we make the wisest use of the space that is available and control the development that is inevitable.

(Huff lives in Jackson County.)

 

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