Comprehensive Planning & Implementation

Who are We?

The Comprehensive Planning and Implementation (CPI) Team is involved in the implementation of Legacy, our Comprehensive Plan for Forsyth County. The work of the CPI Team focuses on Area Planning, Legacy-related text amendments, Legacy monitoring and maintenance, Redevelopment Plans, Housing, Growth Management, Activity Centers, and Downtown Planning. An update of the Legacy Comprehensive Plan will begin in the fall of 2010.

What are our Current Projects? 

• Rural Hall Area Plan
• West Suburban Area Plan
• Northwest Winston-Salem Area Plan
• Kids in Planning Program
• Legacy Toolkit
• Liberty Street Redevelopment Work
• Revitalizing Urban Commercial Areas
• Trends Report
• Center City Development Strategy
• Legacy Update 2030
• Industrial Sites Study

Area Planning

Area Plans are reports prepared by the City-County Planning Board which analyze the existing characteristics, trends, problems and opportunities of specific areas of the city and county. From the analysis, recommendations are made for future land use, zoning changes, transportation, and public facility improvements. While Area Plans do not change the zoning of an area, they do serve as guides for the Planning Board and elected officials to use when making zoning or other planning decisions. In the Urban Neighborhoods area of the county as defined by Legacy, all seven Area Plans are completed or underway. For the balance of the county, all thirteen Area Plans are completed or underway. For more information, see the Area Plan section.

Legacy-Related Text Amendments

Legacy, the adopted comprehensive plan for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County makes a variety of recommendations to promote quality growth and conserve our community’s cultural and environmental resources. While some Legacy recommendations are generalized, others are more specific with respect to the direct implementation of Legacy goals through development ordinance amendments. The CPI Team’s role is to draft recommended text changes and oversee their adoption through a formalized public review process. Sample ordinance changes completed or currently in process include revised subdivision street standards, traditional neighborhood development standards, infill development standards, revisions to the Sign Ordinance, and revisions to existing planned residential development standards.

Housing and Community Development

Planning staff work with other city and county departments and community organizations to improve neighborhoods in our community. Specific activities include: (1) Certification of areas with deteriorated conditions as redevelopment or rehabilitation areas. Once certified, projects become eligible for federal community development funding; (2) Preparation of redevelopment plans for certified areas. Redevelopment Plans give the city the ability to acquire blighted property using the power of eminent domain; and (3) Efforts to enhance and improve existing commercial areas and encourage private development. The City Council adopted the Old Cherry #2 Redevelopment Plan on April 21, 2003 and the Happy Hill Redevelopment Plan on February 16, 2004. Staff completed work on the Liberty Street Redevelopment Plan.

Downtown Planning

Over the past several years, planning staff have been involved with the City of Winston-Salem's Business Development Division and the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership (DWSP) in revitalization efforts for downtown Winston-Salem. The City-County Planning Board and City Council adopted the Downtown Plan for Winston-Salem in 2002, and has adopted, updated and revised versions of the Plan in 2005 and 2007. The Downtown Plan uses The New Century Plan for downtown, adopted in 1988; the recommendations from a Design Charrette lead by Architect Ralph Lerner; and, the Legacy Plan as a starting point. Since adoption, the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership and city staff are working on implementation of the Plan. The Plan has helped in transforming downtown into a vibrant center of offices, commercial, restaurant, entertainment and urban residential activity.

Revitalizing Urban Commercial Areas

At the request of the City Council, Planning staff has looked at struggling urban commercial areas, also known as Revitalizing Urban Commercial Areas (RUCAs). Staff has prepared recommendations for public improvements, regulatory changes, and financial incentives. The City Council initially committed 1.5 million dollars for the improvement of these areas. These monies were focused on public and private site improvements. The city selected three areas for the first round of funding: Waughtown/Thomasville, Liberty Street, and Washington Park. A second round of funding consisting of 25 million dollars is being made available to 18 declining commercial areas. 

Trends Report

The Trends Report analyzes recent demographic, economic, and development trends in Forsyth County. Using a variety of national and local data sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the North Carolina State Data Center, the Trends Report provides information and insight into how Forsyth County is changing and what these trends may signal for Forsyth County’s future.

As Forsyth County continues to adapt to its changing economy, 2009 Forsyth County Trends and Development Patterns Report [pdf/8.22kb/65p] is a straightforward and objective reference document that can be used by a variety of groups who have an interest in the past, present, and future of Forsyth County. An updated Trends Report is currently available online.

Revised: 8/2/2011