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County approves Pufftown Baptist rezoning and two UDO amendments covering retaining walls and billboard view corridors
Summary
Forsyth County commissioners unanimously approved a zoning map amendment for Pufftown Baptist Church and two Unified Development Ordinance changes: removing technical retaining-wall specifications (moved to Infrastructure Development Standards) and adding view corridors to restrict off-premise billboards along segments of US 421 and US 158.
At its May 7 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved three planning items presented by Chris Murphy, Planning and Development Services director.
First, the board rezoned roughly 5.2 acres owned by Pufftown Baptist Church (Case F168) on Transound Road from residential (RS9/RS20) to IP (Institutional/Public). Murphy told the board the request aligned with the West Suburban Area Plan and Forward 2045; the planning board recommended approval after a March 12 public hearing at which there were no speakers in opposition. A motion to approve the zoning amendment, including a statement of consistency with the comprehensive plan, passed unanimously.
Second, commissioners approved an amendment to Chapter 8 of the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO CC32) removing Section 8.4.6B, which contained detailed standards for mechanically stabilized slopes and retaining walls. Murphy said staff will move those technical standards into the Infrastructure Development Standards (IDS) so erosion control, utilities, engineering, and NC DOT can apply technical review. He stressed that permit and inspection processes remain in place and that engineered plans and as-built certifications are required for construction.
Third, the board adopted UDO CC33 to add two view corridors that prohibit off-premise ground signs along certain segments of US 421 and US 158 in unincorporated county. Murphy said the change was prompted by a prior denied billboard rezoning and cited the Highway Beautification Act as the federal context that allows jurisdictions to designate locally protected corridors; three parcels at the 421/Styers Ferry intersection were explicitly exempted from the downzoning to respect NCGS 160D-601D protections for property owners.
All three items were heard by the planning board and carried unanimous planning-board recommendations; the commissioners voted to adopt each staff recommendation without dissent.
