Over the past several months, Wednesday has become a notable day of the week in our offices at Freeland Hall. It is on the first and third Wednesday of each month that the North Carolina Court of Appeals files its opinions in cases pending in that Court. This past Wednesday passed without news of the Mountain Retreat Association (MRA)’s appeal before that Court that seeks to reverse the decision of the Buncombe County Superior Court in September of 2023, which set aside the decision of the Montreat Board of Adjustment to issue a Special Use Permit (SUP) to the MRA to build a new lodge on its campus.
The SUP has been a matter before one court or another since shortly after it was granted in the spring of 2022, more than three years ago. The Superior Court reversed the Board of Adjustment’s decision, after which the Town of Montreat withdrew from active participation in the appeal. Believing that the ruling not only impeded our plans for the lodge but also posed a broad and grave risk to our property rights in Montreat, the MRA chose to pursue the appeal.
Even as the legal process unfolds, we have continued to prepare internally for the possibility of future development. A dedicated task force – made up of board members, staff, architects, and our selected contractor – remains active. Together, they have evaluated and refined the project’s designs, reviewed development scenarios, and strengthened the foundation for thoughtful decision-making. At every board meeting, members receive confidential updates on the project, with ample opportunity to ask questions and offer strategic input. These sessions have done more than revisit our past work – they’ve opened doors to fresh thinking. New ideas have emerged, and long-serving and newer board members alike have had a chance to engage.
Through it all, the board has consistently affirmed its vision for developing new lodging at Montreat. At its March meeting, the board approved a new strategic plan that names new lodging as one of our major goals. This plan recognizes that enhanced lodging is about more than modern comfort and curb appeal. It is a key feature of strengthening the guest experience. More importantly, revenue generated from new lodging will help fund other goals of the plan – transformational programming, expanded recreation opportunities, and investments in our staff and infrastructure.
The judicial process is such that we cannot know when the Court of Appeals will issue its decision. There is no “signal” in the time the Court takes, only that the full statewide docket is large. While the case remains pending, I’m limited in the details I can offer. Once the opinion is released, our attorneys will review and analyze the decision and brief the executive committee of the board, which has been authorized to lead our legal response. The full board will be updated and, as needed, will reconvene to consider and support the next steps.
All along, our leadership has remained clear-eyed and united in its conviction that the property in question represents a rare and valuable opportunity. We believe that, when the time is right, it can help us expand our capacity to welcome guests, enrich our programs, and extend the ministry of Montreat — in faithful service to Christ and the world.
While we wait, we do so with purpose, with patience, and with hope.
I’ll close this week with the news that Seth Hagler, our vice president for development since January 2018, will be stepping away from his role at the Montreat Conference Center in July to pursue a new opportunity in Knoxville, Tennessee. His last day with us will be July 2.
Since joining our staff, Seth has served the conference center and our community with wisdom, energy, and a deep commitment to Montreat’s mission. During his time leading our development efforts, the Montreat Fund has reached new heights, setting its most recent all-time high this past April. Seth helped to secure the conference center’s first-ever grant from the Lilly Endowment, funding which supports our Thriving Congregations Initiative. Several capital projects have been completed successfully, notably including the renovations of the Barn and Lake Susan, a project supported by a $1 million grant from the State of North Carolina. Furthermore, Seth stepped forward in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to steward the unprecedented philanthropic response and to help direct many of the recovery efforts around our campus. Throughout, Seth has built and strengthened relationships with donors and friends.
Seth has been a thoughtful colleague on our senior leadership team and a trusted voice in times of challenge. He has steadfastly contributed to a hopeful future for our ministry and deepened our culture of gratitude, and his influence will be felt for years to come by all those who enjoy Montreat. Please join me in offering him your thanks and best wishes as he enters a new season of professional and personal life.
With gratitude,
Richard DuBose
President, Montreat Conference Center