Forsyth County Updates Growth Management Areas Map for Strategic Development Plans

Forsyth County officials unveiled a new growth management areas map during the Board of Commissioners briefing on August 25, 2025, highlighting strategic changes aimed at guiding future development. The map categorizes regions into five distinct growth management areas (GMAs), each designated by color to indicate their development status and potential.

The red area represents GMA 1, or city/town centers, while orange indicates GMA 2, which includes urban neighborhoods established before 1950. Yellow marks GMA 3, suburban neighborhoods that have seen recent growth and are equipped with water and sewer infrastructure. Light green signifies GMA 4, future growth areas requiring infrastructure expansion, and dark green denotes GMA 5, rural areas where growth will be limited.

Significant changes to the map include the reclassification of several areas to GMA 3 due to ongoing sewer projects, reflecting a long-standing policy that automatically upgrades land serviced by public sewer. Notably, a larger area south of Clemens was reverted to GMA 3 from GMA 4, aligning with previous recommendations.

The construction of the Beltway has notably influenced the map's revisions, particularly in the northern and northeastern parts of the county. Officials discussed the strategic expansion of sewer services in these areas, emphasizing the need to wait for funding and timelines related to the western leg of the Beltway before making further changes.

The briefing also referenced findings from the HDR study, which identified short-term and long-term growth sites primarily within GMA 3, with some extending into GMA 4. Officials indicated that as the Beltway progresses, further adjustments to the growth management areas may be necessary in future comprehensive plans.

This updated growth management map is expected to play a crucial role in shaping Forsyth County's development strategy over the next decade, ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with anticipated growth.