GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Citizen Advisory Boards
Wake Forest works with focused citizen groups to inform the public of government decisions and to involve the public in making those decisions. The Planning Services Section works with the Urban Forestry Board to create and preserve an urban forest, Greenways Advisory Board to identify and develop greenways corridors, and Historic Preservation Commission to protect the historic resources of the town.

Comprehensive Planning
The Wake Forest Community Plan is a planning document crafted to create a broad vision for Wake Forest’s future. Twelve vision statements depict a clear picture of where the Town of Wake Forest would like to be in the year 2025 (the plan horizon year). The vision statements were drafted by the consultant and the steering committee based on citizen input gathered at the special town meetings. This plan is nearing completion and will form the basis for development regulations and a guide for budget decisions to achieve the goals of the plan.

Transportation Planning
Planning Services Section works to provide multi-modal transportation options, including pedestrian, bicycle, automobile and mass transportation options. Wake Forest adopted its first Pedestrian Plan in 2006 and the Bicycle Plan in 2008. The Transportation Plan, adopted in 2003, is being evaluated and updated to reflect current conditions, transportation trends and the multi-jurisdictional US-1 Corridor Study. The Planning Services Section works to identify grant opportunities to help in implementing the plans of Wake Forest. Staff is working to receive Safe Routes to Schools Grants for infrastructure improvements and encouragement programs. View the Active Transportation Projects Map.

Corridor Planning
Wake Forest has developed special corridor plans to address the function and aesthetics of development along major transportation corridors, including automobile oriented Capital Boulevard (US-1) Corridor and the more community oriented NC98 Bypass Corridor.

Small Area Planning
Small area plans are developed to bring attention and resources to areas of special concern. Wake Forest worked with the residents of the East End community to develop the Northeast Neighborhood Plan and many of the short term implementation strategies are already accomplished. The Renaissance Plan for the Heart of Wake Forest, an award winning special area plan developed to guide development and funding decisions, is now in the implementation stages with the Town of Wake Forest, downtown merchants and property owners, Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Revitalization Corporation working to sustain the historic core of downtown Wake Forest. The Franklin Street median and roundabouts, White Street Streetscape project and new Town Hall construction are Renaissance Plan projects representing over $20 million in investment.

Greenways & Open Space Planning
The Greenways Advisory Board and staff are working with Greenways, Incorporated to update the Wake Forest Open Space and Greenways Plan. The primary goal of the update is to provide more specific recommendations to achieve trail construction on the Smith Creek, Sanford Creek and Richland Creek corridors.

Downtown Revitalization
Support for downtown Wake Forest is a primary responsibility. Supporting activities include market studies and analysis, mapping and data support, and coordination with the Wake Forest Downtown Revitalization Corporation (DRC) and Wake Forest Chamber of Commerce.

Public Art Vision Plan
The Planning Services Section submitted an application to the North Carolina Public Arts Council and was awarded a grant to develop a Public Art Vision Plan. With the assistance of a talented pubic arts consultant, the Town of Wake Forest, the DRC and the Wake Forest Cultural Arts Alliance (Alliance) are embarking on a collaborative process to create a Public Art Vision Plan for the Town of Wake Forest and its Extraterritorial Jurisdiction. A steering committee, the Public Art Team (PAT) will meet with the consultant hired to develop the Vision Plan. The PAT will form an ambassador program utilizing members to take the developing vision plan to business, civic and neighborhood groups they associate with and to be facilitators at public meetings to achieve rich public involvement and a vision plan that represents the people of Wake Forest.

Regional Planning
The Planning Service Section works with other nearby jurisdictions to coordinate planning activities of mutual interest, particularly related to transportation, greenways and land use. Staff is currently working with the City of Raleigh to coordinate a Smith Creek Greenway trail connection to the City of Raleigh Neuse River Trail, a 28 mile trail proposed to extend from Falls Lake Dam to the Johnston County line. Staff also attends Franklin County Community and Transportation Plan committee meetings to provide for regional considerations in the planning process. Membership and participation in the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization assures Wake Forest’s interests are considered in local, state, and federal transportation planning and funding decisions. 

Planning Services Functions & Implementation Activities

Small Area and Corridor Planning          

• Northeast Area Plan
• Implementation Activities
• Perry Street Extension Community Development Block Grant
• Juniper Avenue Sidewalk
• Tyler Street Extension   
       
• Renaissance Plan for the Heart of Wake Forest
• Implementation Activities
• White Street Streetscape – Phase I
• Franklin Street Road Diet and Roundabouts
• New Town Hall
  
  
• US-1 Corridor Plan
  
  
• NC98 Bypass Corridor Plan

Community Planning

• Land Development Plan
• Land Use Management Plan
• Community Plan
• Northern Regional Service Center Steering Committee

Regional Planning

• US-1 Corridor Study

Transportation Planning

• Transportation Plan Update
• Pedestrian Plan
• Bicycle Plan
• Transit Planning
• Safe Routes to School
• CAMPO Bicycle and Pedestrian Stakeholders Group
• CAMPO Technical Coordinating Committee
• Bicycle Safety Fair

 Open Space and Greenway Planning

• Greenways Advisory Board
• Open Space and Greenways Plan

Historic Preservation

• Historic Preservation Commission
• Historic Districts
• Delay of Demolition
• Historic Design Guidelines
• Downtown Revitalization Corporation

Urban Forestry

• Urban Forestry Board
• Arbor Day
• Tree City USA
• Tree Seedling Giveaway
• Street Tree Maintenance
• Planting Projects

Urban Design

Public Art Planning

• Public Art Vision Plan
• Public Art Team