Sustainable Development of Forestlands Project
Sustainable Forestlands Development Case Studies
Willow Springs - Montgomery County, VA
Aerial Map / Photo Sheet / Covenants
Description: This development is a large-lot cluster with four residential lots on 51.5 acres of pasture and an existing cabin on 3.53 acres. Total land size is approximately 360 acres. A conservation easement is being pursued with the New River Land Trust and Virginia Outdoors Foundation for approximately 300 acres of forestland and 5 acres of meadow. In addition, a Forest Stewardship Management Plan was prepared for 335 acres, addressing both timber and wildlife habitat improvements. Selective timber harvesting could be done on approximately 92 acres while the remaining acreage would likely be managed for timber stand improvements and wildlife habitat enhancements. Any timbering will need to meet the standards established in the Forest Stewardship Management Plan.
The developers' intent was to create a small community with estate-type homes on large tracts of land. Dwellings must be detached single-family homes; however, each residential lot can contain a principal dwelling and a smaller secondary dwelling for immediate family members. The maximum size of the secondary unit is 1,500 square feet. Private wells will provide potable water and individual septic systems will treat wastewater. The average lot size is 12.8 acres, with a privately maintained gravel road accessing the community. The development is approximately 6 miles from the Prices Fork Road/US-460 interchange.
Guidelines: No trees greater than 8" in diameter can be cut, unless diseased or dead, except for necessary removal for dwelling, road, septic, and well construction. Hunting is prohibited, as well as commercial livestock and animal production. Prohibited activities are hunting, commercial livestock and animal production, as well as activities which would impact the characteristics of the river or its banks. Specifically prohibited along the river is access by livestock, cutting of trees greater than 8" in diameter, and structures, bridges, or fords other than those built by the developers.
Market: The largest of the four lots is a 17.5-acre parcel, which sold in November of 2004 for $375,000. The three remaining lots are adjacent to water features and were under contract as of mid-June 2005. Two of the lots abut the North Fork of the Roanoke River and one lot includes a small farm pond and several acres of forest on the footslope of Paris Mountain.