HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — The Triangle Land Conservancy has initiated legal action against Union Grove Farm, claiming the farm has repeatedly violated the terms of a conservation easement established to protect the land. The easement was created in 1998 to maintain the scenic and agricultural integrity of the area.
The lawsuit specifically contends plans to construct a “Farm Stage” on the site of the former Maple View Farm and the ongoing development of three roads that are seen as detrimental to the environment. TLC Executive Director Sandy Sweitzer stated that despite extensive discussions with Union Grove, their efforts have not yielded satisfactory results. She emphasized that the construction activities clearly violate the easement.
TLC is seeking a judgment from Orange County’s Superior Court that would require the remediation of the unauthorized roads and declare the planned amphitheater an infringement on the conservation easement. “We have notified Union Grove of these violations on numerous occasions and have provided ample time for them to address the issues,” Sweitzer said in an August 18 statement. “As an accredited land trust, we have an obligation to pursue legal action when necessary to ensure compliance.”
The easement mandates the preservation of the land’s open space, agricultural productivity, and scenic characteristics. In addition to opposing the amphitheater’s classification as agritourism, TLC’s lawsuit aims to establish that the stage violates the easement’s provisions, preventing any development regardless of agritourism status.
Union Grove’s plans to build the stage have been complicated by a recent Orange County ruling that determined the project does not meet the criteria for agritourism and requires zoning changes to proceed. A determination letter issued in June allowed the farm to develop a culinary farm, a distillery, and a “Center for Regenerative Agriculture” but deemed the amphitheater inconsistent with agritourism definitions.
Under North Carolina law, farm-related activities sometimes bypass county zoning regulations, but this exemption does not extend to non-farm-related projects, even on agricultural land. The ruling emphasized that agritourism must be inherently linked to the farming environment.
Union Grove’s appeal hearing regarding the county’s ruling is scheduled for October 8. Founder and owner Greg Bohlen previously described the stage as vital for the farm’s sustainability, aiming to integrate educational and recreational elements that support its agricultural operations. The farm has also initiated efforts to promote environmentally-friendly farming practices, including the introduction of grapevines and sheep.
A representative from Union Grove declined to comment on the legal proceedings when approached for a statement.
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