After starting the effort in late 2018 and taking a long pause due to the pandemic, the County is now seeking public input on their draft plan — known as PLANWake.

“This is about the future of Wake County,” said Greg Ford, chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “ Public input is critical to the success of a comprehensive plan, and this is your opportunity provide feedback about the direction it takes.”

The county launched the PLANWake process in September 2018. It included three rounds of community surveys, which garnered more than 150,000 responses. Residents weighed in on a broad array of topics, including land use and development, parks and open space, housing and neighborhoods, transportation options, economic opportunity, public services and facilities, and others.

The draft plan is the result of that research and collaboration — and Wake County needs community input to make sure we got it right. How can you help?

• Review the draft plan and interactive map.
• Take this short survey.

​When complete, the plan will include high-level policies that help guide decisions and actions addressing critical issues over the coming decades. Make sure your voice is heard. The survey will be open through the end of January 2021.
For additional information, visit planwake.org. 

You still have time to complete the Community Plan survey (closes 12/31/20)!!!
 
WAKE FOREST, NC – The Town of Wake Forest is in the process of updating the Community Plan and creating a Future Land Use Map, and they need your input. Through the end of December, Wake Forest residents, business owners and community stakeholders are invited to complete an online survey on current conditions within the town. Citizen feedback will be used to formulate an understanding of key issues, community desires, weaknesses and strengths of the Town that will help create the foundation for the Wake Forest Community Plan Update and Future Land Use Map. Available at www.wakeforestnc.gov/community-plan, the survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
 
The Town of Wake Forest currently relies on the adopted Town of Wake Forest Community Plan and Growth Strategies Map as a policy-based comprehensive plan with an action agenda to achieve implementation. Adopted in 2009, the Community Plan contains the vision statements, policies and actions that have guided growth in Wake Forest for the last 10 years.
 
However, the time has come to update the plan. The Wake Forest Community Plan Update and Future Land Use Map will outline the community's vision and guide development and investment in Wake Forest for the next 10-20 years. This two-year process will result in a set of policies that direct future growth and will lead to potential strategies to help effectively guide Town leaders in making substantive and thoughtful decision for the community.  
 
After completing the online survey, create a map with your specific spatial feedback through map.social. A fun and engaging online tool, map.social allows stakeholders to bring together ideas and identify issues and opportunities facing Wake Forest.
 
Over the next several months, Wake Forest residents, business owners and stakeholders will have numerous opportunities to offer their input on the Community Plan Update and Future Land Use Map. For complete information, visit and bookmark www.wakeforestnc.gov/community-plan or email Assistant Planning Director Jennifer Currin at jcurrin@wakeforestnc.gov. 

On December 1, 2020 Raleigh City Council approved, 7-1, TC-4-20 that Amends the Part 10 Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance to modify how average grade and building height are determined, the applicability of residential infill compatibility and setback standards and how side wall plane height and setbacks are determined.  These changes are effective 12/31/20.  This text change was brought to City Council by the HBA in January of 2020 and has been pursued through virtual platforms all the way to its adoption.  We are very proud and pleased for its passage. 

TC-4-20 will:
1. Clarify how average grade is determined and how it relates to determining building height.
2. Clarify the applicability standards and street setbacks for residential infill development.
3. Allow an increase in the maximum permitted side wall plane height and clarify how that height is determined.

OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE PER CITY OF RALEIGH STAFF REPORT: The proposed text change would determine average grade as the grade that shall be considered to be average post-development grade above sea level along the building elevation most parallel and closest to the primary street setback, however, for any building subject to the standards of Sec. 2.2.7., average grade shall be determined by averaging the four points consisting of the highest and lowest elevations of both pre-development and post-development grade. When the average post- development grade is lower than the average pre-development grade, then height shall be measured from the average post development grade. When a property slopes upward toward the rear of the lot building height is measured from the average grade above sea level of the front and rear wall plane utilizing the same averaging approaches in Sec. 1.5.7.A 2. above, in order to calculate the average grade between the pre-development average grade and the post-development average grade. When the average post-development grade utilizing both the front and rear wall planes is lower than the average pre-development grade, then height shall be measured from the average post-development grade.

The text change will revise the applicability standards for residential infill compatibility. For establishing infill principal building setbacks, the UDO uses a comparative sample of the surrounding properties. The intent is that infill development should be compatible with the surrounding properties and the neighborhood. As proposed, the comparative sample will be derived by the four closest principal buildings, or three for a corner lot, along the same block face of the street within 300 feet of and oriented toward the same street as the subject lot. The sample need not be equally distributed on either side of the subject lot. When a comparative sample of four principal buildings, or three for a corner lot, cannot be derived, then the minimum setback of the underlying zoning district would apply. The proposed standards would not apply to properties located in Historic Districts, Street Side Historic Overlay Districts, or to Historic landmarks.

The text change will also revise the maximum allowable side wall plane height and its relation to the side setback. The maximum allowed wall plane height adjacent to the side property line will be revised to 25 feet or the average height of the 2 abutting neighboring wall planes, whichever is greater. The wall plane height may be increased 1 foot for each foot of horizontal distance the wall is moved from the side setback line, not to exceed the maximum height allowed within the district. When a side wall incorporates a recession or projection of 2 feet or more, multiple side wall plane heights shall apply. Each side wall plane’s height is determined by averaging the four points consisting of the highest and lowest elevations of each of pre-development and post-development grades along that side wall of the building. In the event the average post-development grade along the side wall of the building is lower than the average pre-development grade along that wall, then side wall plane height shall be measured from the average post development grade.

A copy of the approved text change can be found here:  TC-4-20.

The City of Raleigh is proposing changes to their floodplain regulations.  Currently, the comment period is open 
until January 31, 2021 and you can click here for a copy of the proposed regulation changes and click here for a link to the survey/comment section.

The proposed changes would extend building restrictions for new development to the entire floodplain.

• You would no longer be able to build new structures in the floodplain.  (However, density transfer within a lot is proposed)
  
• New public roads would also need to provide dry access during a major rainstorm.  
  
• These changes would impact vacant lots in the floodplain.

Exemptions

• Properties in the floodplain already developed
• Properties 0.5 acres or less

You can watch the most recent virtual meeting that was held on December 8th if you'd like to catch up.  It can be found here.  Plan to set aside a hour and a half to watch it.

The Town of Apex is rather rapidly moving forward with a draft Affordable Housing Plan.  A stakeholder group was convened this summer and met several times to provide input into the draft plan.  The draft plan is now available for public comment, currently through December 28th, 2020.  You can find a copy of the draft plan here.  We have made a request that the public comment period be extended through the end of January 2021, but have yet to find out if that request has been granted.  This draft plan talks about "Affordable Housing Incentive Zoning" which uses the word "incentive", but may end up really meaning "mandatory".  If you do business in Apex, please take some time to look over this plan and provide comment by clicking here.  

The City of Raleigh Planning and Development Department has made some changes in response to our requests that will take affect on January 4th, 2021. 

1. Review times have been reduced for certain types of reviews in response to our concerns with them taking too long.  Please see the document located here to more readily see which review times are being adjusted.
2. Online Appointment Scheduling for Residential Construction will become available starting January 4th, 2021. This is in response to requests we've made for "office hours" with the staff. These appointments will be via conference/videoconference for new Residential Single-Family Construction, Detached Accessory Structures,  and Accessory Dwelling Units and Additions. Please click here for additional information.

Share your Input on the Design of Gateway Signs!

Please review the gateway options and complete the online survey at https://publicinput.com/N3238 by January 8, 2021 to be sure your input is considered.
​
The Town of Apex is developing a Wayfinding Signage Program to provide consistent and attractive information to residents and visitors discovering and navigating to key destinations in Town. Gateway signs are intended to let people know they have reached a special place – The Peak of Good Living! They want to hear your thoughts on the proposed design of gateway signs! 

Gateway sign design options are consistent with the wayfinding sign designs developed with community input earlier this year. Each incorporates the Town logo and colors as well as “The Peak of Good Living” tagline. Multiple gateway sign sizes and base styles are provided to address the context of each gateway location.

​Questions?
Contact Jenna Shouse, Long Range Planner II, jenna.shouse@apexnc.org
Learn more about the Town of Apex Wayfinding Signage Program 

We have just received word from the Town Manager that all Town facilities, including the inspections offices within Town Hall, will be closed to the public from this Wednesday, December 16th until Tuesday, January 19th.   This action is being taken in response to the increasing number of COVID cases within Wake County and in order to protect Town staff so that they can continue to serve you.

The Inspections Department remains open.  They ask that you return to the processes previously in place at the start of the pandemic – a drop box for plans will be located near the front door during normal business hours.  Payments can be made in the locked drop box - checks only (no plans in this drop box), in an envelope clearly labeled "Inspections Department".  Staff in the office and in the field is available by phone, staff working remotely has access to email.