Kaplan plans advanced green development
Heavenly Mountain to become sustainability center
by: Scott Nicholson— Development of a 2,000-acre property in that once was planned as a spiritual retreat is shifting toward sustainability and affordable renewable technology.
David Kaplan, along with his brother Earl Kaplan, are planning an advanced development that uses latest research to combine solar and wind energy with contemporary green building techniques to offer affordable and sustainable houses. Kaplan said he had the goal of establishing the property as the “Center for Sustainability” in the United States.
Kaplan formerly owned thousands of acres in the southwestern corner of Watauga County, which was planned as Heavenly Mountain Resort and at one time was associated with the Transcendental Meditation movement. Kaplan broke ties with the group about five years ago and eventually sold about 6,000 acres to the Ginn Company for the Laurelmor Development. That property has since been sold again after the Ginn Company faced foreclosure.
