The Little Tennessee Perspectives community-based research project was conducted by a team of graduate students at UNC-Chapel Hill.

One of the most striking realizations is who owns Macon County — nearly half belongs to people who don’t live in North Carolina. That means the already rapid construction rate of second homes in Macon will continue to rise in the future. Houses are also being built higher on ridge tops and steep slopes. Since 1950, the average elevation of home sites has increased from 2,393 feet to 2,673 feet, according to the study. The average slope of a home site has increased from 8 percent to 12 percent.

The study revealed overwhelming public support to address development. A surprising 95 percent of participants in the study were in favor of doing something to address the county’s changing landscapes. Only 5 percent were against land-use regulations.

“I think this project illustrates how much common ground people share,” said Stacy Guffey, Macon County Planning Director. “By bringing people together from all sorts of different backgrounds and perspectives, and providing an opportunity for them to talk about what the land means, this process has brought people together on a subject that has generally been very divisive.”

Approximately 170 Macon residents participated in a total of four meetings held in Cowee, Franklin, Highlands and Nantahala over the course of the study where they shared their top concerns facing the county.

“We’re considering this part of the process that helps us narrow down our concerns that we should be thinking about as a community for long-range planning,” said Ben Brown, chairman of Macon Tomorrow and a member of the WNC Alliance’s steering committee.

Among the top 10 concerns were ridge-top construction, development on slopes, lack of land-use planning, harmonizing growth with tradition and the need for economic development and affordable housing. Participants also ranked providing incentives for voluntary conservation easements as a top 10 priority.

Macon Tomorrow has grouped concerns into three topics: healthy development patterns, social and economic development and sustainable development that will be the focus of a one-day intensive forum to be held in March, organized by Macon Tomorrow and the WNC Alliance.

“We will start where this information leaves off,” said Brown said. “We’ll answer the question that came out of the public meetings that we have not yet answered — what are the alternatives?”

For more information or to request project reports or DVDs email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 919.923.2493.