Wake County coordinated a countywide project from September 2000 through January 2003 that developed a strategy addressing issues related to the county's recent, extraordinary growth. The 42-member Growth Management Task Force, composed of three representatives each from the County, the 12 municipalities, and the Wake County Public School System, produced the Growth Management Strategy Final Report, accepted by the Wake County Board of Commissioners in January.
The growth strategy applies throughout Wake County and addresses six issues vital to the future of the area: preserving community character, conserving open space, planning for future water and sewer needs, improving school facilities, minimizing future traffic congestion, and paying for growth.
Task force members and stakeholders recently reconvened to celebrate implementation successes and to keep the goals of the strategy on the agenda. An implementation summary can be found by clicking here. The report includes a summary of success for each jurisdiction organized by strategy. Examples include the following:
Apex has done much to revitalize/maintain its central business district, including an award-winning streetscape project. The Town has also actively tried to preserve and increase the tree canopy, and its development ordinance includes provisions on wetlands, riparian buffers, steep slopes, significant native trees and wildlife areas.
Cary has a Tree Clearing Certificate to protect existing trees and shrubs and a Tree Protection Ordinance. The Town is also working to provide resources for affordable housing and foster first-time homeownership. The Town also earmarks $1 million annually from utility revenues to fund open space, parks and greenway acquisition.
Fuquay-Varina has a "Street Tree-Planting" Ordinance and an Open Space Development Ordinance to encourage preservation of open space and tree planting. The Town has also adopted a Greenway Master Plan and Sidewalk Master Plan.
Garner has recently adopted a new development ordinance that includes ordinances on tree preservation, tree planting and cluster subdivisions. The Historic Garner High School's transformation into senior apartments is a good example of adaptive reuse. The Town has also merged its water and sewer with the City of Raleigh.
Holly Springs recently completed an Open Space Master Plan. The Town created a nonprofit organization to promote downtown development and infill and has done a number of public improvement projects, including the Town Hall. The Town won a N.C. Housing Finance Agency Award for efforts to assist on developing two affordable-housing communities.
Knightdale is currently rewriting its development ordinance to include new standards for tree protection, historic preservation and landscaping, among other things. The 2027 Comprehensive Plan contains guidelines for supporting a pedestrian-friendly environment and encourages mixed-use developments.
Morrisville has a tree-protection ordinance and requires tree planting as part of the development process. A dedication of recreation space is required for all residential development. The Town also has a detailed landscaping ordinance.
Raleigh recently adopted tree-conservation measures for development sites and thoroughfares and requires protection of tree cover in watershed districts. The City recently adopted a Livable Streets Downtown Plan with five major implementation items. The City is also working on special concept plans for improving pedestrian facilities, such as the Crabtree Valley City Focus.
Rolesville has tree-planting buffers for new development along major thoroughfares and along collector streets. The Town also received an urban forestry grant to create an educational arboretum. Rolesville requires sidewalks on at least one side of all internal streets for all major subdivisions and along all lots fronting existing public streets and near schools.
Wake County recently received tree-protection enabling legislation. The County recently adopted regulations on no-build in the floodplain and expanded buffers along priority watersheds. The County has also recently approved a Transportation Implementation Plan and has finished a draft implementation plan for the Wake County Air Quality Task Force. Since 2001, the County has acquired, in partnership with the municipalities, approximately 700 acres of open space.
Wake Forest participates in the "Tree City USA" program. The Town also has adopted appearance standards and landscaping requirements. The Town's development standards require construction of interconnected sidewalk systems, and greenway dedication is required or encouraged.
Wendell's core commercial district is on the register of Historic Places. The town works with merchants and citizens on maintaining its strong downtown core and also has a landscaping plan in downtown. The Town also has programs to encourage water conservation and protect water quality.
Zebulon recently adopted a Conservation Subdivision Ordinance that would require 25% open space for new developments. The Town also requires tree planting on all new developments. The Town has a Downtown Revitalization Plan that it is actively implementing. The Town has watershed zoning that requires buffers along riparian areas and has demand management strategies for water consumption.
Another meeting of the Growth Management Task Force is planned for next year. To learn more about the task force or the Growth Management Strategy, please
click here. For more information, call Jennifer Song, Wake County Planning Department, 919-856-5475.