Planning & Inspections

PLANNING BOARD AGENDA

Planning Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:30 p.m.

• View the Planning Board agenda

For more information, contact Assistant Planning Director Chad Sary at (919) 435-9514 or csary@wakeforestnc.gov.

CURRENT TOPICS

 Unified Development Ordinance Public Meeting – March 1, 2012

On Thursday, March 1, 2012, join the Town of Wake Forest Planning Department at one of three informational meetings concerning the drafting and current status of the UDO design process. The Town’s consultant, Craig Lewis, will present information about completed chapters, and the planning staff will be available to answer questions.

2011 Annual Development Report Complete    
Staff as completed the annual development report for 2011.  You can review all of the development & zoning related activities along with updated demographic and population statistics at the following link.

• 2011 Annual Development Report

Historic Preservation Workshop
Wake Forest is one of the most livable places in North Carolina—just ask any “Wake Forester.” As a community, we have every reason to be proud of the way we have managed our growth and protected our town’s historic resources through the years. The kind of community we have inherited did not happen by accident, but only through the deliberate, caring work of many individual citizens, community leaders, and town officials over a period of many decades. Clearly, we have a legacy of high standards and expectations to carry forward.

As we move into the 21st century, Wake Forest has entered into yet another phase of dynamic change. While many historic properties have been restored, others are in danger of being lost forever. As a community, we have begun discussing how Wake Forest might continue to grow and prosper, while preserving the character and charm that makes our town such a wonderful place to live and to visit. To help bring some clarification to the issue and establish priorities for the future of historic preservation in Wake Forest, you are invited to participate in a...

Historic Preservation Workshop
Thursday, Jan. 12; 7-9 p.m. (refreshments starting at 6:45 p.m.)
Upstairs at the Ledford Center on the SEBTS campus ~ Wingate St.

Glenn Harbeck, who has over 30 years experience in facilitating dynamic public workshops, will lead the meeting. A focal point of the workshop will be a “walk around survey” in which you will be able to register your opinion concerning various community preservation activities and suggest others. Please don’t miss this chance to let your ideas and priorities be known. Be sure to mark Jan. 12 on your calendar now, and plan to attend and bring your neighbor. For more information, contact Agnes Wanman, Town Historic Preservation Planner, (919) 435-9516 or awanman@wakeforestnc.gov.

Where is Wake Forest’s Jurisdiction?

• See attachment for informaton.

Planning Department Survey
The Planning department is looking for input from customers.  Please take the tme to complete the survey so that we can ensure that we are providing you with he best possible customers service.  The survey can be found here, or paper copies can be picked up in the Planning Department.

Update on Session Law 2010-177
The General Assembly enacted the Permit Extension Act of 2009 to extend the validity of most state & local development approvals.  As a result of this legislation, the running period of any development approvals that were valid at any point between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010 was suspended during this three-year period.  In 2010, the General Assembly took further action to assist developers whose projects have been delayed due to the continuing recession and enacted Session Law 2010-177 extending these permits for an additional year, until December 31, 2011.  In November 2010, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners voted to not opt out of the proposed legislation and therefore allow an additional year of validity for development approvals as proposed by the State.

UDO Weblog Launched
The Town of Wake Forest has launched a weblog or “blog,” to keep area residents updated about the progress of the UDO. Located at www.wakeforestnc.gov/udo_blog.aspx, Wake Forest’s new online journal is modeled after the Community Plan Blog, which the Town unveiled in 2007. 

The blog will contain stories and updates about the UDO’s development, as well as important announcements, photographs and notes from community meetings. The site is designed to encourage citizens to offer their ideas and opinions concerning the UDO by providing links to an online comment form at the end of each entry.

Interactive Current Developments Map
The Planning Department has recently updated the Current Developments Map.  In addition to illustrating where current developments are located in town, viewers can now actually view the approved development plan.  Simply open the Current Developments Map link, move the cursor over the development of interest, and click on the development name. A PDF image of the approved site plan will appear. Corresponding information on each of these developments can be found on the development services homepage.

Interested in Opening a Business Downtown?
There are numerous steps a property owner or tenant must take before starting a new business or relocating to an already existing building in downtown Wake Forest. It is imperative that potential businesses take the time to investigate the necessary requirements to establish a business in the Renaissance Area. The Department of Planning & Inspections has developed the Downtown & Renaissance Area Permitting page to provide additional assistance and guidance to anyone interested in commercial opportunites in downtown. 

Planning Division Overview 
Staff provides development and maintenance of land management documents including Zoning Ordinance and Land Use Plan; review of construction and land development; building inspections; code enforcement and support to the Planning Board, Board of Adjustment, Historic Preservation Commission and the Urban Forestry Board.