[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6665648,"mediaKeyId","2346851-bbf7c880ed97c367449ee78eeda4bc3c","parentId",2346851,"title","Wake Forest approves rezoning for 55.93-acre Harris Road tract with permanent conservation easement commitments","audioSeconds",5722,"startMs",2535000,"endMs",8257000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346851-bbf7c880ed97c367449ee78eeda4bc3c&start=2535&end=8257","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346851-bbf7c880ed97c367449ee78eeda4bc3c/thumbnail_2535000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6665648/Wake-Forest/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wake-Forest-approves-rezoning-for-5593-acre-Harris-Road-tract-with-permanent-conservation-easement-commitments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665648-68b62c4f55b549cc0c070af93967a12d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775218547&Signature=OG5G9x88IT3WJ6PYuPnRonIWbA9SP--ji7eye6qv9zowkkFkDxxI-tgwyxbugrMJkjDcFSQatWKIu-eIDTTptEK2aFm1tuJV15ZPAQB719-FFyL0dw0KxKXIrM0jDIKDg9ecrJSECaeWpYKUI9WmBPHRGFa9Hdu5Ty7V2qX6mA6h~8LS8ELV1quR6p98yEcN95zDh2MRi-LV8KwkdYZ4RPlFya0tYgpLF254~QoKReq8tPOO6FppvDSyHHEbe3UoTk37lwKtpMpTlKBKpRulSXmlilBzckdAnoVnwahS5MzF-~e~gKXYfOjeyoAwohODrNS9B6C3nnGPE8vbYKVamQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wake Forest","date","2025-02-18T17:08:00Z","article","The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners voted to approve a rezoning application filed by Church Street Company to rezone 55.93 acres on Harris Road after the developer and conservation advocates negotiated changes to the project conditions.

Town planner Patrick (last name not specified) outlined updates the applicant provided since the work session, including a commitment that 3% of the multifamily units would be affordable at 80% of area median income, flexibility allowing townhomes to be developed either as individual lots or as multifamily on a single parcel, and a requirement that open space not accepted by a conservation entity be recorded as an undisturbed conservation easement. Staff also noted an increase in stormwater protection to match the draft Unified Development Ordinance’s 25‑year storm standard and an aesthetic commitment to stone walls and common brick materials.

\"Staff still recommends approval,\" Patrick told the board before the public hearing began.

Applicant George Delonge of Church Street Company described years of negotiation and said the developer sought to respond to community input by conserving a substantial portion of the site and improving buffers along Harris Road: \"From the beginning, we've had a very flexible and willing partner... our goal has always been... to find a development that the town would approve,\" he said.

Representatives of Joyner Harris Forest Conservation and other conservation groups urged the board to require permanent protection for the site's most sensitive areas. Angela DePaolo, representing Joyner Harris Forest Conservation, said her group’s petition had drawn more than 6,000 signatures and that scientists in the group had identified Piedmont bluff features, streams, wetlands and mature forest on the tract. \"Approximately 30 acres of preserved open space is pretty substantial,\" Gary Skinner of the conservation group told the board, urging a permanent conservation easement and public access planning.

Residents raised concerns about traffic, school capacity, stormwater runoff, retaining walls and visibility of buffers. Speakers pointed out that the site sits adjacent to Joiner Park and that preserving tree canopy and protecting headwater streams was a priority for many neighbors.

Traffic improvements described by staff in the developer’s conditions included a new dedicated right‑turn lane from westbound Capitol Boulevard to northbound traffic, a two‑way left‑turn lane along the length of the property on Harris Road, and left/right turn lanes at site access points; the developer also agreed to proportionate fees toward future signalization warrants where needed. Staff said widening and turn lanes tied to the development would be required, and longer‑term intersection improvements would be addressed proportionally if future warrants are met.

Several commissioners voiced that the revised plan represented a substantial conservation gain compared with what might be developed by right. Commissioner Wright noted the tradeoffs between conserving the current parcel and what could be built under by‑right subdivision, and said the application preserved more open land than earlier proposals.

At the close of the hearing, a commissioner moved to approve the rezoning with a required consistency statement. The motion passed by voice vote; the meeting record states the motion carried unanimously. The approval incorporates the applicant’s signed conditions, which include the conservation easement commitment, the 3% affordable unit minimum at 80% AMI, increased stormwater measures to the draft UDO standard (25‑year event), enhanced buffers and architectural/landscape commitments.

Staff noted that if the property were developed at low‑density, by‑right single‑family lots, fewer transportation improvements would be required and the town would not secure the conservation commitments included in the rezoning conditions. The town will require a master plan and site‑level reviews that implement UDO standards for parking, sidewalks, retaining walls and tree replacement when the applicant files for subsequent approvals.

The board’s approval triggers required follow‑up: the applicant must submit a master plan and construction plans to satisfy stormwater, transportation and UDO standards; the conservation area is to be preserved either by donation to a conservation entity or by recorded, permanent conservation easement if not accepted.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wake Forest - Board of Commissioners - Feb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request by Church Street Company for 55.93 acres on Harris Road after the developer revised conditions to preserve roughly 30 acres as open space, add stormwater protections and commit 3% of multifamily units to be affordable at 80% AMI.","taxTitle","Wake Forest, Wake County, North Carolina","taxId",55003,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6665652,"Wake Forest commissioners give consensus to pursue downtown social district; staff to return with ordinance details",6043,1001000,7044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2346851-bbf7c880ed97c367449ee78eeda4bc3c&start=1001&end=7044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2346851-bbf7c880ed97c367449ee78eeda4bc3c/thumbnail_1001000.jpg","/articles/6665652/Wake-Forest/Wake-County/North-Carolina/Wake-Forest-commissioners-give-consensus-to-pursue-downtown-social-district-staff-to-return-with-ordinance-details","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6665652-b2334c20ebe58a22fef15b949b0ca9cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775218547&Signature=Iz~-PsUDp87peQzKKSHipVuht-Idthh8eJQg0hlLgVRaosSpNVuOXBxcxoOH9Ey63ETslyVuOFxBav0UM41-tVe1E5cc8m~NMnJ1OkREqqsWWSKo~VFUQEP8SoFYUYN~L9WgD5xZ2uf3N8-IR95AAT2MEseCMOdNzm6szdXdO7hnbxXxPNhmq6oCqw74~Do1VqarPJlrtwd2oJdjjcq0x-POaDbigqlG2JUJpioDcO9syxAIcuLNt2pdr7FZZMtjiVch7EoTL7YkH40oCgFub1i17n~BmDoP9HonOHeZaTeQ8mQ8HX0GBJO~HYqvIGgFtDSnEGGUSzCcL9XLpKdd~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners signaled consensus on moving forward with a proposed downtown social district after hearing business owners, residents and staff during public comment and a staff presentation.

Jennifer Herbert, the town's downtown development director, summarized the proposed ordinance and the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control requirements the town would follow, including branded, non-glass cups limited to 16 fluid ounces, clear business signage for participating establishments and an opt‑in process for ABC‑permitted businesses. \"If businesses change their mind, that is something that they would be able to do,\" Herbert said, describing a proposed opt‑in timeline and the town's plan to require participating businesses to use approved cups or stickers.

The issue drew a mix of support and concern during public comment. Jana Burkhart, owner of Unwind on White, spoke for downtown retailers: \"We are fully supportive and believe that it will add the boost to our business and other businesses,\" she said, urging the board to act in time for this year's Friday Night on White events. Suzanne Lucy of Page 158 Books asked to be included in any district boundaries beyond South White Street. By contrast, Margaret Watkins cited public‑safety concerns and rising DUI counts, urging a data study before expansion: \"If you guys decide to go ahead with the social district, what I would encourage you to do is to run a study to show how much revenue the shops get, whether or not there's an increase in DUIs.\"

Herbert told the board the town must submit maintenance plans to the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and recommended a delayed implementation date so staff can register businesses, order materials and coordinate with event organizers. She outlined three boundary options: (1) a limited footprint on South White Street only, (2) a footprint aligned to the Friday Night on White event area, and (3) a larger footprint that also includes parts of South Brook Street and other nearby blocks. She cautioned that a limited footprint could complicate enforcement during large events when people move beyond the defined boundaries.

Commissioners debated safety, downtown amenities and implementation logistics. Commissioner Wright and others emphasized a need for restroom access, seating and crosswalk safety as part of any implementation steps. Wright said the town should also plan to review the district after an initial period: staff would collect data and return with a fall review and an annual process for evaluation.

By the end of the discussion the board agreed by consensus to direct staff to proceed with the proposed ordinance using a footprint that includes the Friday Night on White area and several adjacent blocks (the map shown on screen during the meeting). The board requested a second reading once staff finalizes the ordinance language, meetes-and-bounds for ABC filing, an implementation timeline, and operational details such as signage, cup procurement and special‑event coordination. Herbert said staff would return with materials for a second reading and recommended a delayed implementation date to allow time for ABC plan acceptance and outreach to businesses.

The board did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; rather, it gave staff direction and asked that staff return with a formal ordinance and boundary description for a subsequent vote. The town manager and police chief retain authority to suspend the social district if public safety issues arise.

Moving forward, staff said it will include a plan for initial data collection and an administrative review in the fall so the board can evaluate impacts such as public safety, trash and business revenue.

The discussion and direction will return to the board for a formal second reading before any social district goes into effect.

","After public comment from downtown business owners and residents, the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners signaled agreement to move forward with a proposed social-district ordinance and asked staff to return with a detailed boundary map and implementation steps for a second reading.","actionData","errors"]

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Wake Forest approves rezoning for 55.93-acre Harris Road tract with permanent conservation easement commitments

Wake Forest commissioners give consensus to pursue downtown social district; staff to return with ordinance details