**September 4 Update for Mapleview Farm**
Defend the Maple View Farm Legacy
Attend the Community Meeting
Wednesday, September 24th, 2025
6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Whitted Building – Donna S. Baker Meeting Room
300 West Tryon St., Hillsborough
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Attend the County Board of Adjustment Hearing
Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
7:00 pm
Whitted Building, 300 West Tryon St., Hillsborough
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Big News: Legal Complaint Filed by Triangle Land Conservancy
The Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) has initiated legal proceedings in Orange County Superior Court against Union Grove Farm (UGF) for alleged violations of a forever farming conservation easement on land formerly belonging to the Nutters of Maple View Farm. TLC’s press release highlights the following:
- The Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) seeks to compel Union Grove Farm to adhere to the terms of a conservation easement established in perpetuity by the former owners of what was previously Maple View Farm.
- Since 1998, TLC has held a Conservation Easement on a portion of the property to ensure the “forever conservation of the open space character, agricultural productivity, and scenic qualities” of the land.
Specifically, TLC’s lawsuit requests that the Court:
- Order remediation of prohibited roads constructed by UGF.
- Declare that the construction of a 2,500-seat amphitheater constitutes a violation of the conservation easement.
- Require restoration of the property to its original state prior to the road construction.
- Enjoin any future development of the amphitheater on the property.
According to the complaint, UGF built three unapproved roads between 2023 and 2025. UGF has disputed that these roads violate the conservation easement.
Current “Defend Maple View” fundraising efforts are dedicated to covering legal fees, ensuring effective representation of the rural community’s interests at the Board of Adjustment hearing and any subsequent legal actions. Any remaining funds after legal expenses will be donated to the Triangle Land Conservancy. Support the cause. Here is the GoFundMe page. For further details, the full complaint is available for review at this website.
Background
Review of recent history: When you think of the Maple View Farm area in southern Orange County, you might picture rolling pastures, dairy cows, an agricultural center, locals enjoying ice cream on hot summer days, and quiet open space — as pictured above. For decades, Maple View Farm was a cornerstone of our rural community.
In 2022, that changed. Bob Nutter died and the family sold the working dairy that had served its neighbors and cared for the land. The Nutter family sold the land to Union Grove Farm (UGF), which has since set in motion a development plan that threatens the very purpose of the Rural Buffer. To read more about the history, go here.
What is Proposed?
Greg Bohlen, the new owner sought to build a 2,500-seat amphitheater, a 40-person hotel with a restaurant, a distillery, a regenerative agriculture education center, tencasitas (small homes), and a garden with a 2000 square foot pavilion — all under the claim of being an “agritourism” operation exempt from county zoning laws. The Orange County Planning staff has determined that while the hotel and casitas can go through the normal approval process which would require a rezoning, the proposed amphitheater does not fit under the definition of “agritourism”. The new owner is appealing that decision to the Orange County Board of Adjustment on October 8th. Your attendance is encouraged!
Why Does the Outcome Matter?
The North Carolina Agritourism law allows exemptions from most county zoning. Excessive or abusive use of this law has the potential to become a precedent-setting attempt to bring commercial businesses in the Rural Buffer, a protected area designed to preserve low-density, agricultural, and natural uses to prevent urban sprawl. Continued abuse of the law could open the door to more commercial incursions, undermining one of the most important land conservation tools in the region. In addition, if the County’s opinion is reversed, it could threaten the efficacy of the use of the conservation easement, an important land protection tool.
What Is the Rural Buffer?
Established in 1987 under the Joint Planning Agreement (JPA) between Orange County, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill, the Rural Buffer was created to limit urban sprawl, preserve farmland, and protect open space. It allows dense development inside towns while ensuring the surrounding countryside remains rural in character with no urban services like sewer or water expansion. In exchange, farms enjoy an exemption from county zoning, including protections for public safety, sanitation, traffic, and more.
Bob Nutter, the family patriarch, worked with the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) to place an easement on portions of Maple View’s farmland to safeguard it in perpetuity.The conservation easement is under threat because the new owner seeks to repurpose that land for private entertainment and tourism. TLC and neighbors are opposing the proposed amphitheater to the Board of Adjustment.
Fundraising for Legal Representation
The Board of Adjustment hearing is scheduled for October 8th, where the community’s attorney will present for the community. Preparing for such a hearing involves significant costs, and community contributions are greatly valued.
Your support is needed! Current fundraising efforts are dedicated to covering legal fees, ensuring effective representation of the rural community’s interests at the Board of Adjustment hearing and any subsequent legal actions. Any remaining funds after legal expenses will be donated to the Triangle Land Conservancy.
Support the cause!
Donate to the Defend Maple View Community GoFundMe Page
A Disappearing Landscape… And its Birds
Maple View Farm was once one of the top birding areas in Orange County. Over 180 species had been recorded there. In recent years, as dairy farms have been replaced with vineyards and sheep pastures, bird counts have declined, with only half as many birds and species observed last year compared to previous years.
According to its electrical permit application, UGF has applied to install lasers to keep birds away, which is a stark and disturbing contradiction to its marketing of “regenerative agriculture” and “enhancing biodiversity.”
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What You Can Do:
Attend the Community Meeting
Wednesday, September 24 @ 6:30 PM
Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough
Attend the Board of Adjustment Hearing
Wednesday, October 8th @ 7 PM
Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough
(Public comment is not allowed, but your presence matters.)
If you would like to receive updates, send your email to this address: info@bolincreek.org
Your Voice Matters
The outcome of this appeal will potentially affect the integrity of the Rural Buffer, the future of land conservation in Orange County, and what kind of development we allow in our rural communities. Let’s make sure that our laws are not misconstrued to take away farmland meant to be protected for future generations.
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Friends of Bolin Creek has been a leader in conservation and watershed protection.
Let’s support the Maple View Farms neighbors to ensure that conservation easement tools and our planning agreements are followed.
Help protect Bolin Creek!
bolincreek.org
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©2025 Friends of Bolin Creek
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Previously posted information below:
When you think of the Maple View Farm area in southern Orange County, you might picture rolling pastures, dairy cows, an agricultural center, locals enjoying ice cream on hot summer days, and quiet open space — as pictured above. For decades, Maple View Farm was a cornerstone of our rural community.
In 2022, that changed. Bob Nutter died and the family sold the working dairy that had served its neighbors and cared for the land. The Nutter family sold the land to Union Grove Farm (UGF), which has since set in motion a development plan that threatens the very purpose of the Rural Buffer.
What is Proposed?
The new owner is requesting to build a 2,500-seat amphitheater, a 40-person hotel with a restaurant, a distillery, a regenerative agriculture education center, ten casitas (small homes), and a garden with a 2000 square foot pavilion — all under the claim of being an “agritourism” operation exempt from county zoning laws. While the hotel must go through normal approval, the rest has already been greenlit as “agritourism” by Orange County Planning staff.
Why Does the Outcome Matter?
What appeared at first to be a zoning loophole has the potential to become a precedent-setting attempt to bring commercial businesses into the Rural Buffer, a protected area designed to preserve low-density, agricultural, and natural uses. This development would open the door to more commercial incursions, undermining one of the most important land conservation tools in the region.
It also violates a conservation easement held by the Triangle Land Conservancy, which was put in place to permanently protect the land’s agricultural, scenic, and ecological value. The amphitheater, distillery, and education center are proposed on land specifically protected under that easement that was once home to rare bird species and biodiverse habitats.
What Is the Rural Buffer?
Established in 1987 under the Joint Planning Agreement (JPA) between Orange County, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill, the Rural Buffer was created to limit urban sprawl, preserve farmland, and protect open space. It allows dense development inside towns while ensuring the surrounding countryside remains rural in character with no urban services like sewer or water expansion. In exchange, farms enjoy an exemption from county zoning, including protections for public safety, sanitation, traffic, and more.
Under the JPA, the Rural Buffer is intended for single-family homes on large lots, bona fide farms, and low-intensity agricultural support uses. Commercial venues like hotels and amphitheaters are not permitted. Through wise land use policies, Orange County leaders have continued our farming traditions.
What Is the Purpose of a Conservation Easement?
A conservation easement is a legal agreement that permanently limits how land can be used in order to protect wildlife habitats, water quality, and the natural rural environment. These agreements are foundational to long-term land and watershed protection.
Bob Nutter, the family patriarch, worked with the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) to place an easement on portions of Maple View’s farmland to safeguard it in perpetuity. Now, that easement is under threat as the new owner seeks to repurpose that land for private entertainment and tourism. TLC and neighbors are appealing the county’s decision on the proposed amphitheater to the Board of Adjustment.
A Disappearing Landscape…And Its Birds
Maple View Farm was once one of the top birding areas in Orange County. Over 180 species had been recorded there. In recent years, as the dairy was replaced with vineyards and sheep pastures, bird counts have dropped with only half as many birds and species observed last year compared to previous years.
According to its permit application, UGF has applied to install lasers to keep birds away, which is a stark and disturbing contradiction to its marketing of “regenerative agriculture” and “enhancing biodiversity.”
What Else You Can Do to Help:
If you would like to receive updates, send your email to this address.
info@bolincreek.org
Your Voice Matters
The outcome of this permit request will potentially affect the integrity of the Rural Buffer, the future of land conservation in Orange County, and what kind of development we allow in our rural communities. Let’s make sure that a loophole does not take away farmland meant to be protected for future generations.
