WOODFIN, N.C. (WLOS) — Homeowners in Richmond Hill in Woodfin celebrated Saturday at a big summer block party.

The party hosted by the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) included music, cold beer, and snow cones.

The longtime non-profit and its staff were thrilled that they could help the community get what it wanted after three years.

83 ACRES ALONG FRENCH BROAD RIVER WILL BE CONSERVED AFTER YEARS OF PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

In March, the Conservancy bought the 83 acres of land along the French Broad River adjacent to Richmond Hill to prevent any developer from building on it.

The story dates back to 2022, when a developer went before the Woodfin Town Council to get permitting to build a large high-density apartment complex on the site.

Residents at the time, like Robert McGee, spoke out and organized groups of residents to speak at council meetings opposing the project they felt would ruin their community with traffic and high density in a quiet residential neighborhood.

“The animals we have coming through here and then also preserving this forest,” said Russell Edwards, who lives in Richmond Hill. “Each time you take a little more away for a subdivision or a business, you just lose more of Asheville.”

Ultimately, McGee and his neighbors won.

“Personally, it’s a great relief and I’m just thrilled for the neighborhood and for the river for the Town of Woodfin,” said McGee.

SAHC has tried to buy the property several times since 2013, but the owner has continued to hold out for a higher price from developers. The latest development proposed in 2022 would have had close to 700 apartment units.

“This property was on SAHC’s wish list for conservation for the past 20 years,” said Carl Silverstein, SAHC’s executive director. “Residents and visitors to the waterfront and motorists on multiple roads have a clear view of the promontory, which slopes down to a major bend in the river.”

HUNDREDS OF APARTMENTS PROPOSED FOR LAND ALONG FRENCH BROAD RIVER IN WOODFIN

The additional 83 acres will eventually be added to the 180 acres that make up Richmond Hill Park.

“It’s a natural addition to the Richmond Hill park, a community park used for recreation purposes,” said Sarah Sheeran, Stewardship Director for SAHC.

SAHC’s booth at the block party was busy with Richmond Hill residents buying t-shirts and posters to remember the party SAHC put on with them to celebrate the win.