Wake Forest commissioners approve rezoning for 108‑unit apartment project despite staff, planning board objections
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Summary
The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners voted 3‑1 to approve rezoning case RZ24‑07 for a 108‑unit multifamily development. Planning staff and the planning board had recommended denial, citing inconsistency with the town's comprehensive plan and corridor commercial land‑use designation. Public commenters raised traffic and compatibility concerns.
The Wake Forest Board of Commissioners approved rezoning case RZ24‑07, permitting a 108‑unit multifamily development, by a 3‑1 vote after deliberation and public comment. Planning staff and the planning board had recommended denial, and residents raised concerns about traffic studies and compatibility with nearby properties.
Patrick, a planning department staff member, told the commission that a WSP traffic analysis concluded “the backage road isn't necessary for the volumes that we're expecting” and that staff expects the town's Comprehensive Transportation Plan to recommend removing that back road in the next CTP update (anticipated in 2026). Despite that finding, Patrick said staff recommended denial because the rezoning was “generally inconsistent with the comprehensive plan” and with the land‑use map calling for corridor commercial uses.
During public comment, Janice Davis, 1009 Lightfoot Court, described an adjacent historic property, saying, “The Cook family has a lovely estate,” and noting the building's circa‑1803 date. Margaret Watkins told the commission she opposed the rezoning and questioned the reliability of traffic impact analyses, saying, “I am not okay with this simply because TIAs are not accurate at all.”
Commissioners debated connectivity and infrastructure obligations, including whether a future road shown on maps should be required, how sidewalks and multiuse paths would connect new development to existing neighborhoods, who would pay to build those connections, and whether the project should include conditions for senior, workforce or affordable units. A written statement read into the record on behalf of Commissioner Faith Cross supported removing the back road from the CTP, cited topographic constraints, and said the proposed housing matched adjacent uses.
Staff confirmed the proposed project would contain 108 units and that none were designated as senior or workforce housing. A commissioner also asked about a previously discussed indoor firing‑range use on an adjacent industrial parcel; staff said no permits had been filed for that use and that the applicant should confirm the status.
A motion to approve the rezoning carried 3‑1 with Commissioner Clapsaddle voting no. The motion carried without further conditions recorded in the meeting minutes.
The commission's decision supersedes the planning board's August recommendation to deny (4‑1). The record indicates the town will continue work on CTP revisions and zoning code updates that staff said could affect how similar proposals are evaluated in the future.
