Saving Nature: Balancing Development & Conservation

After Steve Nygren brought small and large land owners in Chattahoochee Hills on board his development plan, it was time to take the project to the state. Three state foundations and a few private citizens had pledged money to invest in the project, and Governor Barnes was ready to push legislation through to allow Chattahoochee Hill Country to change land rights in the region. When Barnes didn't get re-elected, most of these investments disappeared. One person stayed in, and that money was used to buy the first TDRs from two land owners. This was only the beginning of Steve’s journey through state government bureaucracy. Each time he wanted to incorporate an environmentally-friendly option, be it for wastewater treatment or putting in roads, he encountered pushback from the various state departments that oversee them. Steve continued to ask questions and pursue what he knew to be right.Questions AnsweredWhat were the steps you had to take to start building Serenbe?What are land rights?How do transfer development rights work?What is the most photographed place in Serenbe?Why are chain link fences always around conventional waste water treatment facilities?Why should we choose to build in a new way?How is balanced development possible?Why are government departments so siloed?Why does Serenbe have unique streetlamps?People + Organizations MentionedMichael OgdenReed HilderbrandRobert RauschSerenbe DevelopmentTurner FoundationUGA Law DepartmentWoodruff FoundationChattahoochee HillsChattahoochee Hill Country ConservancyEnvironmental Protection DivisionGeorgia Association of County CommissionersGovernor Roy BarnesThe Hill RestaurantMadoThe new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.  Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay!Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.