Forsyth County commissioners approve technical zoning fixes, several resolutions; one sale delayed

Forsyth County commissioners on March 13 approved a set of routine resolutions and technical ordinance corrections, accepted a reverted county property and postponed a negotiated sale of county land for two weeks to allow further review.

The board unanimously approved technical corrections to two previously adopted zoning ordinances — one involving the petition of Jerry Stoltz and ITAC 4 84, LLC (case referenced as F-16-38) and the other for Perimeter Point Properties, LLC (case 16-48). Chris Murphy, director of Planning and Development Services, told the board the items are “just technical corrections” to partial-lot descriptions and that no new public hearing was required because the public hearing and votes occurred previously.

Why it matters: The votes correct recorded ordinance language and do not reopen the prior public hearings. County staff said the corrections clarify parcel descriptions and remove inconsistencies that could otherwise create problems for property records and permitting.

Other actions approved without extended debate: - A resolution recognizing March 2025 as Social Worker Appreciation Month was adopted unanimously. Denise Price, deputy county manager, read the resolution on behalf of the county. - A resolution authorizing the county to continue an arrangement with the town of Rural Hall for production and sale of street-name signs was approved unanimously. - A contract amendment with Neelon Labs LLC (doing business as ArcPoint Labs of Winston-Salem) for comprehensive drug screening for Family and Children’s Services was approved; the amendment authorizes up to $62,000 through June 2025. - The county accepted a fuel-surcharge franchise report and approved meeting minutes from Feb. 27, 2025.

Sale of 3.5-acre parcel delayed: The board received an offer of $3,000,000 from VNC Land Company LLC (Visconti North Carolina Land Company) to purchase a 3.5-acre portion of county property at 5580 Sturmer Park Circle. Developer Jeffrey Deeds presented plans and described the buyer and tenant (Dash In/Dash Inn by the Wills Group). After discussion, Commissioner McDaniel moved to delay consideration until the next regular meeting so Commissioner Linville — who was absent — could comment; the board approved the two-week delay unanimously. County staff said the board currently holds 5% of the offer (about $150,000) and that no binding contract has closed.

Ordinance ordering demolition: The board voted 6-0 on an ordinance ordering removal or demolition of a structure found unfit for human habitation. County staff and the county attorney advised that, because one member of the seven-member board was absent, the ordinance will require a second reading and a second vote in two weeks before taking effect.

Property reversion accepted: The board accepted the reversion of the former Skyland School property at 2050 Big House Gaines Boulevard from Family Services, Inc. County staff said Family Services vacated the property in January 2024 and activated the deed’s reversion provision in August 2024; staff reported the property returned to county ownership in poor condition. Commissioners voted unanimously to accept the deeded reversion. Commissioner McDaniel noted staff briefings that will explore possible uses, including affordable housing, and one commissioner expressed disappointment Family Services did not maintain insurance on the building.

Schedule and planning items: The board received briefings on two Unified Development Ordinance text amendments (UDO CC-28 and UDO CC-29) concerning single-family lot sizes in multifamily districts and aligning historic resources language with North Carolina statutes (160D). Those items were presented as briefings and previously recommended by the planning board; the city council adopted them in January. No final county vote on those text amendments occurred at this meeting.

Next steps: Items requiring additional action — a second reading for the demolition ordinance and the sale of the Sturmer Park parcel — return to the board at its next regular meeting in two weeks.