Greybeard Realty

Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006

By Barbara Hootman
STAFF WRITER

Laurel Mountain Preserve combines the beauty of yesterday with the conveniences of modern rural living.

Laurel Mountain Preserve is located off Highway 9 and Old Fort Road, about 25 minutes from Black Mountain. It is approximately 40 minutes southeast of Asheville.

The preserve is approximately 169 acres that lies within Laurel Mountain development. Many of the lots in the subdivision join the preserve, giving residents their own private wildlife domain.

“This subdivision and preserve is magic,” Peg Nadel, co-owner, said. “The whole subdivision is about 430 acres, and it is indeed special. The preserve has old growth forest. I have hiked with a naturalist over most of the preserve. There are even endangered trees, ferns, and other plants. We’ve left the building sites in 10 acre parcels so as to not impact the beauty of the land. We have worked hard to maintain the integrity of the land. People can experience what it used to be like 100 to 150 years ago in the mountains of Western North Carolina.”

Art Nadel, co-owner, emphasizes that from the start of the development, the land needed to be guarded from extensive development, and kept in its natural state for the homeowners to enjoy. A baseline survey of the area to determine conservation values of the preserve was conducted, including the Bird Creek watershed area. The report confirmed the feelings that the area was special and needed to be kept in as pristine state as possible.

The Nadels have donated the preserve to Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy in Hendersonville.

“We could have gone on and included another 14 house sites on the preserve, but we decided not to go that way,” Art said. “It is important to preserve the 168 acres that we have set aside. The Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy will inspect the preserve at least once a year.”

Peg says that there is an energy from the land that is evident to many who visit it.

“There is a sense of peace, happiness, and a tremendous energy that becomes intertwined with your life,” she said. “Those qualities are so unique in our world that they have to be preserved and enjoyed.”

Laurel Mountain Preserve is made up of easy-to-build land. There are 23 10 acre parcels for sale that offer privacy and seclusion, but also are close enough to neighbors that there is a comfortable sense of community.

“Actually the 10 acre lots are large enough to accommodate two homes, if the purchaser desires,” Art said. “They range in price from $325,000 to $525,000.”

Laurel Mountain Preserve is comprised of elevations from 2,300 to 3,100 feet. The lots offer an interesting mix of views. There are far-off mountain ranges and valleys, and nearby hillsides covered with mountain laurel, wild azalea, and rhododendrons.

The roads will be left unpaved to blend with the unspoiled atmosphere.

The Nadels plan to have a summer home on the property.

“There is a fully furnished home already on the property that is for sale,” Peg said.

For more information contact Laurel Mountain Preserve, one Laurel Mountain Trail, Black Mountain, N.C. 28711, or phone (828) 628-3630. Laurel Mountain Preserve is represented by Greybeard Realty, in Black Mountain. Contact the office at 669-1072.