Lodge permit in Montreat overturned by judge

A ruling has been made in the matter of the Mountain Retreat Association’s proposed lodge in Montreat.

Judge Peter Knight has not yet handed down his written decision but has informed attorneys of all parties involved that he is overturning the special use permit granted by the town of Montreat’s Board of Adjustment to the MRA.

After nearly 50 hours of hearings, the lodge was approved by the Board of Adjustment in January 2022.

A group of families, including the Hayner and Jones families, opposed the lodge, saying it would negatively impact their property. They filed a brief with the Buncombe County Superior Court in January of this year. A hearing was held May 3, and Knight is expected to have a written decision handed down within the first two weeks of June.

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The proposed lodge would have sat between Assembly Drive and Georgia Terrace and was outlined at 40,000 square feet and would have included 40 guest rooms with private baths, a 30-space parking garage and a courtyard area.

The building of the lodge meant the demolition of three original structures on MRA property: Galax House, Chestnut Lodge and Lord Apartments.

Those opposing the lodge argued their due process rights were violated because of several Board of Adjustment members donating to the MRA, as well as undisclosed ex parte communications. They also argued the permit did not meet zoning ordinances.

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Priscilla Hayner, a member of one of the families who filed the brief opposing the lodge, said she is “grateful” to have had the opportunity for an independent forum to look at the issue and make a decision.

“It’s not a question of one side winning,” Hayner said. “It’s a question of what’s good for Montreat going forward, and we really hope that this is a now an opportunity for a conversation with the community, with the MRA, with the town as a whole.”

While Montreat Interim Town Manager Ben Blackburn said the town does not comment on pending litigation, the town did put out a statement in its weekly Montreat Minute newsletter about the decision.

“Options for consideration are not available until we receive the written order,” the statement read. “We will keep you informed as the situation progresses.”

In an emailed statement from spokesperson Tanner Pickett, the MRA also said it would wait until the judge’s written order is handed down before commenting.

“In the meantime, I’m sure many people are wondering how this decision would have an impact on the town of Montreat’s ability to work with the conference center,” Pickett wrote. “Regardless, we’ll remain focused on our own mission as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church and the church of Jesus Christ.”

Hayner said she wants to see the MRA “succeed and to be strong,” as she believes everyone does in Montreat. She said the decision should not be seen as stopping the MRA as a whole, but stopping this particular project as it was originally presented.

“We think this decision will ultimately strengthen the MRA and strengthen Montreat,” Hayner said. “It’s good for Montreat and it’s something that is going to ultimately, at the end of the day, put both the MRA and Montreat in a much better place.”

Karrigan Monk is the Swannanoa Valley communities reporter for Black Mountain News.

This article originally appeared on Black Mountain News: MRA lodge permit overturned by judge