Issue: Development in the Rural Area

Traditionally, rural development patterns consist of limited concentrations of residential development surrounded by working or natural open spaces. The conversion of undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density development in the Rural Area is an ongoing challenge.

The Legacy Update recognizes Downtown Winston-Salem, our small Town Centers and Activity Centers as the best locations for significant commercial and office development. However, neighborhood-serving commercial and office uses are needed resources in rural communities. Locally-oriented services allow residents of the Rural Area to access basic services without having to drive great distances to larger activity nodes. Where these uses should be located is an important question.

New uses are now being proposed in rural areas across the country such as biodiesel production and wind and solar farms. Forsyth County may soon be faced with questions about new uses that don’t currently exist in the Rural Area.