Western North Carolina Growth

Growing pains of rural counties as development overwhelms communities and nature

The mountains and towns of western North Carolina have been a prime destination for generations of vacationers, outdoor adventurers, retirees and others seeking the region’s beauty and bounty.

Over the last several years, a boom in housing and other development and the environmental impacts of this mostly uncontrolled growth have begun to pose a tremendous threat to the region’s natural heritage, economic health and quality of life. New gated communities and other mega-developments are proposed almost weekly, overwhelming the infrastructure of local communities and profoundly altering the landscape. 

Sprawling Growth, Vanishing Landscape

Local counties have few, if any, regulations over development, which increasingly is felling native forests, marring scenic views, polluting mountain streams and worsening tailpipe pollution due to increased traffic. Rural development is also putting pressure on supplies of drinking water from aquifers that are slow to recharge. 

In Buncombe County, an average of 2,800 acres of rural land has been subdivided for development each year since 1991.  At this pace, the county will have no rural land left in 60 years.

Dangerous Views

One of the most disturbing trends is construction on mountaintops and steep slopes. While such development might provide new homeowners optimal mountain views, it leads to muddied streams, and worse, can trigger landslides, which have destroyed dozens of homes in recent years.  In Buncombe County, steep-slope development accounts for 30 percent of all new construction.

A Tipping Point

The region has reached a tipping point and local governments, legislators and citizen groups across western North Carolina are seeking solutions to address the impacts of unchecked growth.  From our Asheville office, SELC is stepping up our involvement in these critical issues to safeguard the natural resources and treasured landscapes of western North Carolina.