Planning & Zoning - Wake Forest, NC

CURRENT TOPICS

Wake Forest Community Plan

No matter where you go in Wake Forest, its clear the town is growing. Managing this growth and allocating the town's resources to deal with growth-related issues isn't easy. That's why the Town of Wake Forest started the process of developing a Wake Forest Community Plan - to help guide these difficult decisions and offer a new vision for the town's future. To learn more, view the video or continue reading below.

White Street Plan

The White Street Plan is a collaborative effort between the Town of Wake Forest, the Downtown Revitalization Corporation (DRC), and the NCDOT. It includes sidewalk restoration, tree and architectural lighting, landscaping, and parking improvements, as well as new benches, trash receptacles, and directional signage.

Water Restrictions
The City of Raleigh announced that Raleigh water customers are now under Stage I Mandatory Water Conservation Measures, effective April 7, 2008.

For more information on the Stage I Mandatory Water Conservation Measures, contact the City of Raleigh Public Utilities Department at (919) 857-4540 or the City of Raleigh Public Affairs Department at (919) 890-3100.

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.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Administration

The Administration staff consists of the Planning Director, Planner (5 positions), GIS Analyst, and Office Assistant. The Planning Director supervises, coordinates and directs the personnel and work operations of the Department, which includes the Planning and Inspections Divisions. The Planners perform responsible professional level work in the areas of current and comprehensive planning, land use controls, and program administration. The GIS Analyst maintains and develops all planning related GIS databases. The Office Assistant provides administrative support to both the Planning and Inspection divisions of the Department.

Program Objectives

· Administer departmental programs: Planning, Historic Preservation, Housing and Community Revitalization, Urban Forestry, Building Inspections, and Fire Prevention.

· Prepare and monitor annual budget and capital improvement plan for the Department.

· Update and implement Department work plan.

· Develop protocols for the maintenance and enhancement of the GIS databases.

· Continue results-based management program.

Accomplishments

FY 2007

Updated the results-based performance plan.

Planning

Staff strives to further the welfare of the citizens of Wake Forest by helping to create an increasingly better, more healthful, convenient, efficient, and attractive community environment through the application of intelligent foresight and planned administrative and legal coordination. This includes the development of plans and policies to guide the physical development of the community and the necessary regulatory controls for implementation. The Planning Board and Board of Adjustment perform key functions for the administration of the program. Planning staff (eight positions) provides administrative and technical support.

Program Objectives

· Continue to implement adopted land use and development plans and documents.

· Complete the neighborhood/small area plan for the NE section of Wake Forest.

· Prepare a new Comprehensive Community plan. Package as an effective informational and educational tool.

· Complete the Bicycle Plan for the Town of Wake Forest.

· Update the department web pages which provide information for customers and citizens.

· Improve communications through the use of web site, community channel, and newsletter.

· Continue to administer and update the zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, flood damage prevention ordinance, and other adopted regulatory controls.

· Update base maps.

· Review applications and plans for sign permits and provide inspections.

· Investigate and resolve ordinance/code violations.

· Review development permit applications.

· Review subdivision plans and plats.

· Review site plans.

· Review and process applications for zoning changes, special-use permits, variances and ordinance amendment requests.

· Respond to citizen and customer inquiries.

Accomplishments

FY 2007

· Participated in the US-1 Corridor Study, prepared for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.

· Completed the Pedestrian Plan for the Town of Wake Forest.

· Completed plans for the construction of a section of the Olde Mill Stream greenway.

· Completed the installation of sidewalks along Front Street and Stadium Drive.

· Amended zoning ordinance to include provisions for traditional neighborhood developments.

· Issued 1344 development permits.

· Performed 108 master plan reviews.

· Performed 172 construction plan reviews.

· Performed 277 final plat reviews.

· Performed 60 architectural design reviews.

· Issued 99 sign permits.

· Reviewed and processed 30 zoning petitions (rezonings, special-use permits, ordinance amendments and variances).

· Cited and abated 110 ordinance/code violations.

· Responded to 30,000 citizen and customer inquiries.

Historic Preservation

To promote the educational, cultural and economic welfare of Wake Forest by preserving landmarks as visible reminders of the historic, architectural and cultural heritage of the Town. The Historic Preservation Commission prepares preservation plans and administers the Historic District and Landmarks Ordinance. Town staff provides administrative and technical support to the Commission.

Program Objectives

· Prepare a Historic Preservation Plan.

· Prepare a new walking tour brochure.

· Plan and implement a program for Preservation Week in May 2008.

· Attend the Preservation North Carolina annual conference in September 2007

· Design and install landscaping for the North Main Street in the Historic District.

· Review applications for Certificates of Appropriateness.

· Maintain Certified Local Government (CLG) status.

· Respond to citizen inquiries.

Accomplishments:

FY 2007

· Planned and implemented activities for Preservation Week in May 2007.

· Attended the Preservation North Carolina annual conference in Wilmington in October 2006.

· Conducted training for new Historic Preservation Commission members.

· Moved program office to new location in downtown Wake Forest.

· Reviewed and approved 16 applications for Certificates of Appropriateness of which 5 were minor applications.

· Completed annual report for SHPO and maintained Certified Local Government status.

· Installed signs along South Main Street (US-1A) recognizing Historic Forestville.

· Installed two new trash cans along North Main Street in Historic District.

· Planned and held the Christmas Historic Home Tour in December 2006.

· HPC provided information at each of the Six Sundays in Spring concerts in 2007.

· Responded to numerous inquiries and requests for information from realtors, potential home buyers, historic district homeowners and the general public.

Housing and Community Revitalization Program (HCR)

Cooperative effort between Wake County and the Town of Wake Forest to improve substandard housing, revitalize neighborhoods and provide affordable housing and economic opportunities to low and moderate income citizens.

Program Objectives

· Serve as a liaison between the citizens of Wake Forest and the staff of the Wake County HCR program.

· Represent the interests of the citizens of Wake Forest before the HCR Advisory Committee.

· Operate as an office to handle citizen inquiries about the HCR program, serving as the community point of contact.

· Provide technical assistance to Wake County HCR staff in assessing the housing, infrastructure and economic needs for persons of low and moderate income in the Wake Forest community.

· Work with the DuBois Alumni Association and Wake County HCR to rehabilitate the buildings on the DuBois Campus.

· Promote the programs made available by the Wake County HCR Program.

· Begin implementation of the NE Neighborhoods Area Plan.

Accomplishments:

FY 2007

· Completed landscaping for North Allen Road sidewalk project.

· Completed the Northeast Neighborhoods Area Plan for the NE section of town.

· Razed dilapidated structures in NE area of town.

· Removed junked automobiles; abated dilapidated structures; abated overgrown lots.

Urban Forestry

Provides for the care and maintenance of Wake Forest's trees. The program is responsible for administering the Town's Tree Ordinance by overseeing the planting, removal and maintenance of trees and other vegetation located on public property and rights-of-way. The program is administered by a staff position and the Wake Forest Urban Forestry Board, established in 1978 as an advisory board to the Board of Commissioners. The program has continued to expand its mission to include citizen participation and public education through community-wide landscaping projects and informative seminars.

Program Objectives

· Maintain Tree City USA status (29^th year) and apply for the Tree City USA Growth Award (14^th year).

· Review and update the long-range plan for the Town’s urban forestry program.

· Continue to advise elected officials, town staff and citizens on matters concerning trees and related resources.

· Coordinate special planting projects.

· Make tree seedlings available to Wake Forest citizens.

· Apply for, if available, the Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Grant.

· Continue to plant trees on public property and rights-of-way. Plant a minimum of 400 trees on vacant sites identified in the Community Tree Management Plan

· Plan and implement a program for the 30th Annual Arbor Day/Tree City USA Celebration in March 2008.

· Actively involve the public in urban forestry through neighborhood tree-planting and educational projects.

· Continue the Town’s routine street tree maintenance program. Continue to utilize the Tree Inventory, prepared in 2004, for tree maintenance, removals, and replacements.

· Continue to provide public education and information to area residents on the betterment of trees and related resources.

· Assist with the implementation of the US-1 Corridor Plan (Landscaping Objectives).

· Update landscape ordinance, landscape standards and approved plant list.

· Attain arborist certification for urban forestry staff.

· Utilize tree management software for tree care and maintenance on town property and rights-of-way.

· Develop Tree Preservation Ordinance.

· Develop a “NeighborWoods” program.

· Update Urban Forestry Board Webpage.

· Move program office to new location in downtown Wake Forest.

Accomplishments:

FY 2007

· Attained Tree City USA status for 28th consecutive year.

· Distributed 1,100 tree seedlings to Wake Forest residents.

· Continued landscape maintenance of entrance ways and downtown parking lots.

· Removed and replaced dead/diseased trees from public property and rights-of-way.

· Planned, organized and implemented the 29th Annual Arbor Day Celebration on March 22,2007.

· Completed street tree planting along North Allen Road.

· Completed street tree planting along Stadium Drive.

· Improved and added landscaping at US-1/US-1A intersection and along Star Road per US-1 Corridor Plan.

· Administered NC-98 Bypass plantings from Jones Dairy Road to South Main Street.

· Replaced over 50 street trees.

· Attended 5 workshops/seminars related to municipal tree care.

· Planted a Tree Memorial at the Wake Forest Cemetery.

· Implemented Routine Pruning recommendations of the Management Plan (prepared in 2004 by Davey Resource Group).

· Provided routine street tree maintenance in Heathridge Village, Crenshaw Hall Plantation, Pemberly, Orchard Park, Harris Point, Wallridge, Deacons Ridge, Highgate Park, and Heritage subdivisions and on all downtown streets.

· Implemented Urban Forestry Board web page.