The Town of Wake Forest will accept applications for the 2025 session of Wake Forest Planning 101 (formerly known as the Citizens Planning Academy) Monday, Feb. 10, through 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24.
Wake Forest Planning 101 is designed to educate residents of Wake Forest and its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) on fundamental topics in planning and development in Wake Forest, with an emphasis on hands-on learning. Participants will explore a variety of topics pertaining to planning and zoning, including the framework for local regulations established by state law, trends in growth and land development in Wake Forest, adopted Town plans, land development considerations and processes, the Town’s development regulations, public hearings, and more.
Participants will be expected to attend four sessions on consecutive Wednesdays from April 30-May 21 (April 30, May 7, May 14, and May 21). Each session is scheduled from 5:45-8:15 p.m. at Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St., and will include dinner starting at 5:15 p.m. All sessions will be taught by Planning Department staff.
Participation in Wake Forest Planning 101 is limited to residents within the corporate limits or the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of the Town of Wake Forest. Class size is limited, and pre-registration is required. Applications must be completed and submitted online by visiting https://bit.ly/WFPlanning101.
Anyone without access to a computer is invited to complete the application by using a computer kiosk in the lobby of Town Hall. For assistance completing the application, contact Senior Planner Patrick Reidy at 919-435-9515 or preidy@wakeforestnc.gov or Senior Planner Tim Richards at 919-435-9537 or trichards@wakeforestnc.gov.
Selected applicants will be notified no later than Monday, March 17. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/WFPlanning101.
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One Response
I am really curious about this training program. Is the purpose to introduce, educate and possibly indoctrinate citizens about the current Wake Forest “Sustained, Smart Growth Plans” all focused on the anticipated 15 year process of clearing even more green space for the new 60,000 people expected to move here by 2040? We are at 60,000 now and the clearly-stated goal by the planning department is 118,900 in 15 years. Is it possible that in four weeks a “student citizen planner” can discover exactly where the mandate is for surrendering what green space remains for people who do not even live here? Will they learn that we should quit complaining about total land and wildlife elimination and terrain reinvention because clear cutting and traffic congestion are necessary so that the new Wake HOA projects built by national, public companies can greedily infill with their copy and paste housing units? Will these planner students recognize all this is justified and necessary for a common good? WF is only half way to the population “Goal” and in 15 years and I maintain this still will be a great place to live for people who are relocating, actually fleeing places they originated. For traditional and recent Wake Forest citizens who lived a bygone era as recently as 2016, it’s time to consider if you want to fall in line or get out of the way. We are past the crossroads stage. Also, will the students recognize that the planning recommendation will be totally ignored if they do not conform to predetermined BOC “Smart, Sustained Growth” plans anyway? Just look at the CPA 23 03 planning recommendation for the Wake County expansion and its rejection by the BOC. Citizens in Wake County reject this “Sustained, Smart Growth” explanation of what you fully intend to do: make Wake County, Wake Forest HOA. We live in Wake county for many good reasons. You will be rebuffed in your ETJ expansion plans even if you somehow acquire and train citizens to explain and justify your reasoning and methodology. Wake Forest: Where the College used to be and a Forest once stood. Say no to Fill the Hole! (Wake County CPA 23 03)