Kernersville approves Abbotts Forest rezoning, annexation and development plan amid watershed concerns

The Kernersville Board of Aldermen voted Nov. 6 to approve a voluntary annexation, an amendment to the Kernersville Development Plan (KDP74) and a single‑phase conditional rezoning (K‑635‑A1) to allow Abbotts Forest, a proposed residential development of 280 units on roughly 96.71 acres northeast of High Point Road and east of Woodway Drive.

Town staff said the annexation (0 Watkins Ford Road) was requested to secure a narrow parcel needed to meet right‑of‑way and buffer requirements for the overall site plan. Jason Ewing of Mungo Homes, introducing the proposal, said the project would include 44 townhomes and 236 single‑family detached units, for a density of about 2.9 units per acre, sidewalks throughout, five wet ponds for stormwater treatment, and amenities including a pool, clubhouse, playground and a mulch trail to an existing pond.

The decision matters because it changes the land use plan designation from low‑density residential to medium‑density residential for the parcels in zoning docket KDP74 and rezones the property to RM‑5‑C (Residential Multifamily conditional). Staff told aldermen the change is…