Union Grove Farm Dispute Update | TLC Legal Matter NC

Three prohibited roads and plans for a 2500-seat amphitheater violate the terms of a 1998 conservation easement. HILLSBOROUGH, NC: Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) has filed a complaint in Orange County Superior Court to force Union Grove Farm to comply with the terms of a conservation easement put in place in perpetuity by the former owners of what was then called Maple View Farm. TLC has held a Conservation Easement over a portion of the property since 1998 for the express purpose of “forever conserving the open space character, agricultural productivity and scenic qualities” of the property. “We have been in protracted good-faith conversations with the owners of Union Grove Farm, but to no avail. Their continued construction of three prohibited roads through hard-wood forests and their plans for a prohibited 2500-seat amphitheater clearly violate the terms of the easement. They have been notified of the violations on multiple occasions and have been given more than the required time to remediate these violations. So, as an accredited land trust, the next step in the easement violation process is for TLC to sue. We have no choice,” said Sandy Sweitzer, TLC Executive Director. Specifically, TLC’s lawsuit asks the Court to order remediation of the prohibited roads and declare that the 2500-seat amphitheater is an easement violation. TLC also asks the Court to require the defendants to restore the property to its condition before the roads were built and to enjoin development of the amphitheater in the future. “We have over 180 conservation easements across more than 8,000 acres in the Triangle and have never seen such egregious violations as these. As an accredited land trust, TLC has an obligation to take this next step.” Sweitzer said. TLC is taking a two-pronged approach to stop the unlawful development of the amphitheater and prevent other potential future violations. These include: 1) Opposing the Classification of the Amphitheater as “Agritourism.” Union Grove Farm and the property owners sought a determination from Orange County that the amphitheater was agrotourism, thus exempting the amphitheater from zoning regulations. On June 4, 2025, Orange County issued a determination that the amphitheater was not an agrotourism use and therefore not exempt. Union Grove Farm and the property owners appealed that determination to the Orange County Board of Adjustment and that hearing is scheduled for October 8. 2) Filing a Civil Action to Declare the Amphitheater Violates the Conservation Easement. Union Grove Farm and the property owners are also prohibited by the Conservation Easement from developing the proposed amphitheater, regardless of any agritourism designation. TLC is asking the court to declare that the amphitheater violates the terms of the conservation easement in the lawsuit. This is a different, companion approach to stop Union Grove Farm and the property owners from proceeding with their plans. About Triangle Land Conservancy--TLC strives to create a healthier and more vibrant Triangle region by safeguarding clean water, protecting natural habitats, supporting local farms, and connecting people with nature through land protection and stewardship, catalyzing community action and collaboration.

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Olivia Bowler

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Update on TLC’s Dispute with Union Grove Farm

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