UDO Update

I do not see the town is listening to the residents ask for more open space. I see transit oriented and high density developments in areas which could be better suited for recreational use. Although the town is proposing a change to increase the tree canopy I don’t believe it goes far enough to protect critical streams and watershed especially when high density housing is zoned. Although I read about conservation subdivisions, where are they? Why can’t this be the norm? Many people move to Wake Forest from Raleigh and surrounding areas to get more breathing room. People want to live in Wake “forest”. The idea of living within a forest is attractive. Let’s make this town different from surrounding towns and work to hold development to a higher level— where are solar requirements for huge developments- such as those on 98? Wake Forest should live up to its name and be the town known for conservation

As others have stated, we must protect our environment and not insist on being blinded by dollar signs. Climate catastrophe is on the horizon and myself and I'm sure many other residents will not be pleased with insistence on irresponsible and short-sighted development that only helps those who are already wealthy.
We should only entertain regenerative and cyclical ways of being, it is long past time to put frameworks centered on extraction and exploitation of our natural resources and neighborhoods to rest.
"When the Last Tree Is Cut Down, the Last Fish Eaten, and the Last Stream Poisoned, You Will Realize That You Cannot Eat Money"

Wake Forest is rapidly losing the tree canopy and nature that makes it unique. Clear cutting entire lots cannot continue to happen, not only is it destroying the visual appeal, it’s increasing temperatures, increasing flooding, and decimating the species that call Wake Forest home. I’d like to see the town insist on a percentage of trees be kept PER ACRE not just around the perimeter. I’d like to see the town purchase conservation acreage that is for the health and wellbeing of the environment … maybe with soft trails at most but not to be paved for human softball fields or pickleball courts. If wake forest doesn’t start preserving our environment now it will be too late in 10 yrs, and what makes our town so desirable will be a memory. I’d like to see a native plant species list for new development and not just non natives that grow fast. More use of tree boxes, rain gardens, permeable surfaces in new development, preservation of wildlife corridors. Better parking lot design that incorporates shade and covered sidewalks instead of paved heat deserts. Wake Forest can be a leader in LEED certifications, conservation eco preserves, responsible green development, and insisting on a healthy balance between humans and nature.

I like the goals of keeping more tree canopy, especially more mature trees. I would like to suggest when adding plants and landscaping to use native plants and trees for pollinators.

We’re disappointed. If approved, the new UDO will cause catastrophic harm to our nonprofit religious organization (The Church Initiative). How so?

We’d lose the ability to expand our operations at our current location. And the value of our property would be reduced.

As a growing ministry, it’s imperative that we retain the option to expand on our property and that we protect its value.

Our current building is 12,500 sq ft. It sits on 5.51 acres of land, in a Mixed Use Residential District. The UDO states that, “In the MUR District, Professional Service uses shall have no more than 15,000 square feet total of building or tenant floor area.”

As you can see, the new UDO will prevent us from building significant additional structures—on our own property.

We would like to work with the Town to preserve our right (or the right of a future property owner) to add additional structures to our property. We’re willing to work with the Town to ensure that future development would complement MUR District objectives.

Any ideas regarding how we could achieve that?

Finally, congratulations on getting to this stage in the UDO process. We appreciate the information you’ve shared with us and the Town throughout the process. We look forward to continuing to work with you to resolve our concerns.

USO for roads! Too much development and no infrastructure updates!

Proposed Zoning District - the new zoning has no density limits. So, any land zoned General Residential (GR) can have apartments built on it. Our population has grown 53% since the last census, it's time to stop this continued housing expansion and tearing down the woods.

Proposed Overlay Districts - this includes Watershed Protection Overlays for Smith Creek (the 350 acres across from DWT). Wake County has the 350 acres with a Watershed Protection of WS-II which allows only 1 home per 2 acres. The Town of Wake Forest is changing that to a brand new term called Smith Creek Critical Area District which will all 2.5 homes per acre. Why are you allowing this? What is the rationale. It does not seem that it benefits anyone except builders.

Proposed Administrative Modifications 15.5 (G) - Allows Administrators (Staff) to approve deviations to UDO standards such as:

Min/Max setbacks, buffers, and frontage buildout (Shrink the buffer between DWT & the Nursing home). This is ridiculous. Why are you allowing this? Vote NO against this proposal.

Payment in lieu of specified improvements. (A specified improvement could be a bike trail or a required number of trees on new development).

For example, the proposed Nursing Home needed to plant 360 trees after clear cutting, the final site plan included 98 planted trees and a payment in lieu of the missing 262 trees. Vote NO against this. They should be REQUIRED TO PLANT THE TREES. This is just an easy out and the town calls in income.

It worries me that these Administrative Modifications will have have no oversight from the Planning Board or the Board of Commissioners or residents. It is just a closed door conversation between of member of the Town of Wake Forest staff & the developer. Who are these decisions makers and who has given them this authority? Someone needs to publish the names of these decision makers.

Mary Laws
1017 Mendocino St
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919-628-7811

I’m a 5 yr resident in Wake Forest after spending several years living in Cary NC. I love the charm and feel of Wake Forest, however, I still have to go to Raleigh for more shopping and night life experience. When my family or friends visit and we’re seeking a 4 or 5 star hotel, they have to travel to Raleigh. The hotels in Wake Forest are 3 star. I wouldn’t recommend anyone staying. Growth is here in Wake Forest! I think this is shameful. Traffic has become an excessive nightmare getting in and out of Wake Forest.