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. 

The HBA of Raleigh-Wake County has been working with the Town of Wake Forest while they update their sign ordinance.  We offered many comments and suggestions to try and make it easier for our members to market their neighborhoods and provide way-finding signs while still staying out of the public right of way, as desired by the Town.  This item was heard recently at the Town's joint public hearing and is now coming before the Commission at their Tuesday, August 20th meeting which starts at 7:00 p.m. at 301 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest.  Please click here for digital access to the agenda.  It is Item 7.G.

Just before the holidays, Wake Forest began sending out letters of violation to those with signs located in the right of way (ROW). We were able to get them to temporarily delay enforcement of their fines through the holidays to give us an opportunity to talk with them about our concerns.

We have met multiple times with Wake Forest staff and had conversations with the Mayor and Commissioners since that time. However, the Town is still adamant about enforcing the ordinance they already have on the books, which disallows signs in the ROW. Previously, they had not been enforcing the ordinance on the books.

The "grace period" they provided has ended and they are once again sending out letters of violation to any owners of signs in the ROW. Please remove identified signs or anticipate the application of a fine.

Please know that we continue to work with staff and the elected officials to find alternative ways to allow the necessary signs our members need to provide advertising and way finding. More than likely, these will come in the form of permitted signs on the backside of the sidewalk, just out of the ROW or through other means such as pole banners or flags.

If you have any suggestions, please feel free to contact me so that we can discuss your ideas further. Thank you.

Please be aware that the Town is now strictly enforcing their sign ordinance which can be found here. ​