GENERAL INFORMATION
The Development Services Section of the Planning Department has the responsibility of reviewing commercial and non-residential development applications within the Town of Wake Forest jurisdiction. This review is done in conjunction with other Town departments and the City of Raleigh Utilities Department. The purpose of this review is to ensure that development occurs in an orderly fashion, and in compliance with Town ordinances, policies, character, and previous development patterns. The Town has also established a site plan review procedure which requires that proposals for certain kinds of nonresidential activities be reviewed and approved by municipal officials prior to the granting of required permits.
PLAN REVIEW PROCEDURES
There are two (2) basic types of site plan review, the administrative procedure and the regular procedure. The administrative procedure requires staff review and approval only. Copies of the Construction Plans, Review Application, and Construction Plan Checklist should be submitted for review to the Planning Department. Upon construction plan approval, securing federal, state, & local permits, a preconstruction meeting should be scheduled to allow for site development to begin. A separate preconstruction meeting may be necessary should site work begin separate of building construction.
The regular procedure requires development plan review by the Planning Board and approval by the Board of Commissioners. Copies of the development plan, Review Application, and Development Plan Checklist (and Rezoning/Special Use Permit application if applicable) are submitted to the Planning Department for review. The development plan then requires Planning Board review and Board of Commissioner approval. If the development plan is approved by the Board of Commissioners, the construction plan review process can begin. Applications meeting one of the following criteria are forwarded to the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners for consideration:
- Any planned unit development
- Any development application for property located in a Conditional Use zoning district
- Any development located in a Watershed or Watershed Overlay District
- Any multi-family development
- Any business park
- Any shopping center
- Any industrial park
- Any hospital
- Any rest home
- Any development deemed by the Board of Commissioners to be of sufficient size to require development plan approval.
- Any development with a building height exceeding 35 feet.
- Any development in Renaissance Area Districts.
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.
Shopping Center Developments
Shopping Centers are defined as two or more commercial establishments planned, and constructed, as a single unit with off-street parking and loading facilities provided on the property and related in location, size, and type of shops to the trade area which the unit serves. Shopping centers can be further defined by size and function as indicated below.
Specialty Center
A shopping center whose shops cater to a specific market and are linked together by an architectural, historical or geographic theme or by a commonality of goods and services.
Neighborhood Center
A shopping center that generally sells goods necessary to meet daily needs of adjoining neighborhood(s) and citizens within walking distance; occupies up to fifteen (15) acres of land.
Community Center
A shopping center that serves several neighborhoods. Provides convenience goods, personal services, sales of soft and hard line merchandise and usually features a variety store or junior department store; and has a site area of ten (10) to thirty (30) acres.
Regional Center
A shopping center that contains a wide range of retail and service establishments, occupies a minimum of thirty-five (35) acres, and draws its clientele from several area communities.
In addition to the regular plan review procedure, shopping centers require a special use permit as well.
APPEARANCE STANDARDS
The Town of Wake Forest has established supplementary appearance and lighting requirements for development to ensure that the physical characteristics of new development is compatible when considered within the context of the surrounding areas and to preserve the unique visual character and streetscapes of Wake Forest. These requirements strike a balance between creativity and innovation on one hand while avoiding obtrusive, incongruous structures on the other. Wake Forest strongly encourages architectural styles that build upon and promote the existing historic character of the town and supports the view that inspiring, well-maintained, and harmonious development is in the best economic development interests of all residents and businesses.
All development subject to the appearance standards shall be compatible with the established architectural character of the Town by using a design that is complementary to existing Town architectural styles, designs, and forms. Compatibility shall be achieved through techniques such as the repetition of roof lines, the use of similar proportions in building mass and outdoor spaces, similar relationships to the street, similar window and door patterns, and the use of building materials that have color, shades, and textures similar to those existing in the immediate area of the proposed development.
The appearance standards can be viewed in the Wake Forest Zoning Ordinance.
CURRENT PROJECTS & PLAN REVIEW ACTIVITIES
The following links are updated regularly and have been designed to provide current information concerning new commercial & non-residential developments coming to Wake Forest.
Links
COMMERCIAL & NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
Construction of a commercial or non-residential structure requires both a building and zoning/development permit. These permits are reviewed by building inspectors and planners.
Links
CITY OF RALEIGH MERGER INFORMATION
The Town of Wake Forest and the City of Raleigh merged utility systems on July 1, 2005. As part of the plan review process, all master, construction, and final plats (if applicable) will be reviewed by the City of Raleigh in addition to the Town of Wake Forest. All new submittals should be prepared to be in conformance to City of Raleigh utility standards. Upon submittal, the Town of Wake Forest staff will properly distribute copies of plans for review and will forward comments from both municipalities at the same time. Contact the City of Raleigh for further information regarding utility standards and details at (919) 857-4542 or John.Sorrell@ci.raleigh.nc.us.
Staff Contact:
Chad Sary, Assistant Planning Director
(919) 435-9514
csary@wakeforestnc.gov
Charlie Yokley, Senior Planner
(919) 435-9517
cyokley@wakeforestnc.gov
Links to Applicable Town Plans & Ordinances:
Forms, Checklists, & Applications:
Other Links of Interest: