While Cumberland County holds the conservation easement to Claycomb's property, Natural Lands Trust holds the conservation easement for the 110-acre McCormick Farm, located on Old Willow Mill Road off Carlisle Pike. The McCormick Farm property is listed for sale at $1.5 million and is currently surrounded by development.
In January, Cumberland Valley approved a resolution to negotiate the purchase of the lot. The district plans to obtain the land through eminent domain. The owner wants to sell, but Natural Lands Trust does not and has filed a petition in court.
Cumberland County's commissioners filed an amicus brief in opposition to Cumberland Valley's plans.
"Agriculture provides about one in six jobs in the state of Pennsylvania," Commissioner Vince DiFilippo said. "Preserving farmland means preserving jobs."
"The fact that an entire farm is being targeted, one that has a conservation easement on it and one that's of historical significance, there has to be a better solution for this," DiFilippo added.
Taxpayers concerned about the precedent this would set for taking preserved land have spoken against the move at recent school board meetings.