Wake Forest Planning 101
History
In 2009, the Board of Commissioners directed Planning Department staff to develop a training program for potential Planning Board members to reduce the learning curve of newly appointed members and to provide an opportunity for aspiring members to better understand to the requirements and expectations of the position.
The first Planning Board Academy was assembled in 2011 and included members of the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners, as well as interested citizens. Based on the success of the initial academy, the Board of Commissioners elected to fund and continue it on an annual basis.
In 2019, the Planning Board Academy was renamed the Citizens Planning Academy, and it was given a broader purpose of educating residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) about the Town’s planning processes and practices.
Beginning in 2023, the Citizens Planning Academy is now called “Wake Forest Planning 101.”
Curriculum
The curriculum has been revised in 2023 to provide a truly hands-on learning experience. Each of the four, two-hour sessions will include discussion of fundamental topics in planning and development in Wake Forest (history of planning and zoning, Community Plan policies, the transportation network, zoning requirements, etc.), followed by small group exercises that require application of those concepts to real-world scenarios. Exercises will be based on a hypothetical development site in the Town, progressing from inception to approval. Town staff will guide participants as they move through key considerations involved in the progression.
A major goal of Planning 101 is connecting participants to the resources that will allow them to engage in the development review process and in future planning efforts. The Planning Department also hopes to learn from participants as it refines resources for sharing information about planning and development in Wake Forest. Through questionnaires and informal discussion, participants are encouraged to share their impressions of existing resources and their suggestions for improvements.
2023 Schedule
Participants will be expected to attend three sessions on the following Mondays in May: May 1, May 8, and May 15.
Each session will be scheduled from 6-8 p.m. at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and will include dinner starting at 5:30 p.m.
Sessions will be taught by Planning Department staff and guest speakers.
Eligibility
All residents within the corporate limits or the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the Town of Wake Forest are invited to apply.
Application Period Closed
Wake Forest Planning 101 applications were accepted through Monday, Feb. 6.