MONTREAT, N.C. — Proposed construction is dividing the mountain community of Montreat, and the issue is making its way to Superior Court.

What You Need To Know

Proposed construction is dividing the mountain community of Montreat, and the issue is making its way to Superior Court

The Montreat Stewards are appealing the town’s decision to grant a permit for the Montreat Conference Center's new lodge

That appeal will move forward in the Superior Court in the coming months

Kate Hayner says Montreat is part of her family’s soul. Her ties to the town date back generations, and the California resident still comes to the family home as much as she can.

“My great-grandmother had it built in 1903. She was actually the first school teacher here in Montreat,” Hayner said.

The town has granted a permit for the Montreat Conference Center to build a 40-room lodge next door, and Hayner said that could change her family’s relationship to the home forever.

Hayner is part of the Montreat Stewards, a group dedicated to stopping construction on the lodge. Its petition opposing the construction had 1,200 signatures as of April 30, and the group’s concerns range from the loss of old trees and buildings owned by the center to how the construction will impact surrounding homes and the environment. The members are appealing the town’s decision to grant a permit for the project.

Mountain Retreat Association president Richard DuBose said his family also has ties to Montreat dating back generations. According to DuBose, this particular location was deemed ideal for a variety of reasons, including that the property is already zoned for lodging. He said he has both a personal and professional commitment to the health of the community.

“The Board of Adjustment, again, in the hearing and in its deliberations when deciding to give us the permit, set forth several conditions that addressed those concerns,” DuBose said. “Our intention is to follow those conditions and the requirements set forth in the permit to the letter.”

DuBose said they will be present at the appeal and do what is necessary to protect their right to develop their property. He believes they have the right team to safely manage the project. They will comply with all legal conditions set forth in the permit, and they have a great interest in protecting the environment.

“No one, no family, no institution, no individual has a greater interest in making sure that our environment and our natural surroundings here are protected. It’s very much a part of our ministry,” DuBose said.

Hayner said it’s the health of the environment that has the Montreat Stewards worried, including what they believe could turn into the pollution of Flat Creek. They would like the lodge to be built in another location that would not impact the existing buildings and trees on the property.

“Clearly there’s been a lot of contention about building the hotel or not, but everyone, even those opposed to the building of the hotel, we fully support the conference center. We recognize that they have their needs,” Hayner said.

That appeal will move forward in the Superior Court in the coming months.