MONTREAT, NC — A unanimous ruling through a 48-page opinion from the North Carolina Court of Appeals has reversed a decision by a trial court that set aside a Special Use Permit for the Mountain Retreat Association (MRA, dba Montreat Conference Center) to build a new lodge on its campus. The Court of Appeals ruling restores the Special Use Permit to build the lodge.
The MRA’s Board of Directors approved the plan for a new lodge in 2021 and has repeatedly affirmed its intention to develop the site for the MRA’s mission and ministry. The special use permit was granted to the MRA by the Town of Montreat’s Board of Adjustment in the spring of 2022.
“This property is ideally situated to enhance the programming and hospitality we provide,” says Richard DuBose, president of the MRA. “The ruling also affirmed the integrity and legitimacy of the Town of Montreat’s decision in this matter. We look forward to working with all Montreaters to fulfill the promise of this most important project.”