Serenbe Stories 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 Answered
What 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 Mentioned
Chattahoochee Hill Country Conservancy
Environmental Protection Division
Georgia Association of County Commissioners
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Serenbe Stories is a podcast about making an impact, building a better life, and the extraordinary power of nature and community. Follow Serenbe on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn.