What should be protected? Candidates answer questions

Wake Forest happily has a large number of historic homes and buildings, and the Wake Forest Historic Preservation Commission has done and continues to do a fine job of protecting them. But what else needs to be protected?

A recent countywide survey of tree canopy loss showed us how much harm total tree removal from future building sites has done to the town’s boast about being a tree city. The town lost about 1,190 acres, about 15.3 percent of its tree canopy. About 45.5 percent of the town is covered by tree canopy and about 24 percent by buildings, roads and other paved surfaces. The survey did not say what the other 30 percent was covered by.

Changes in state law make it difficult for towns and cities to protect trees, but we are not doing enough to keep our trees and require developers to plant the oaks, maples and sycamores that will provide canopy in the future.

Many, maybe most, Wake Forest people would applaud if the town could find a way to purchase the old country club site on Capital Boulevard, the watershed 500+ acres north of the Wake Forest Reservoir, and the large tract on Harris Road that has unique features. What can be done to acquire and protect those large parcels, although the Joyner property is now assured it will be developed for maximum profit?

Are there traditions we might think of protecting? What else should be protected?

Faith Cross

The decision by the Board of Commissioners last week allowing development at the Joyner property (former Wake Forest Country Club) was a heartbreaking loss for all those in favor of keeping the forest in Wake Forest (of which I am one). We are currently a community that is losing our tree canopy at an alarming rate- over 15% from 2010-2020. This is a loss of approximately 1,188 acres of tree canopy coverage. And these statistics do not account for the recent massive increase in development and clear cutting in the past 4 years! The countywide loss of tree canopy during the same time period is 3.6%. Though we are “known” for being a heavily forested town, we are sadly at risk of losing that reputation. 

https://www.wake.gov/news/new-study-highlights-impact-and-importance-wake-countys-trees

I have said it in previous articles, and I”ll say it again. We are at a critical juncture in the life of our town. How do we want to “develop” and “grow.” These are buzz words that seem to indicate we can only develop and grow by adding residential and commercial growth. However, that does not need to be how we use these words going forward. We can grow and develop in green spaces and open areas. However, the elected officials must vote in a way that supports this vision. Therefore, who is elected on November 7th matters!

We need to modify our UDO as much as possible to protect existing development and green spaces. Can we have stronger language and increased tree canopy standards in the UDO? Is it time to update our Urban Forest Management Plan to reflect the recent reductions to our tree canopy coverage? These are issues I am committed to exploring as a commissioner. What should be protected is the resident’s voices, and that voice is calling out to slow down, and carefully consider the long term impacts of decisions made now.

###

Joe Kimray

One of my favorite quotes is from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.“

As we continue to develop our Parks and Recreation Master Plan, it is imperative for citizens to participate in the process. We all see a lot of comments about parks and open space on social media; and I hear the same from citizens as I walk through neighborhoods. However, if the members of the public do not come out and voice their concerns, hopes, and dreams – the finished road map of the Master Plan will not accurately reflect what the community wants.

Regarding the purchase of available land, I mentioned last week that I would like to find ways to do so for conservation and new park spaces in our town – but I do not believe that we should raise taxes on current residents to accomplish this goal. We will have to work hard to find grants and other matching funds that can give us the capital we will need to obtain parcels of available land.

I would also like to see us work with more property owners that may want to leave a lasting legacy for the future generations of our town. There are many ways that we can work together with those that have that aspiration – and help them write their family name into the history books of Wake Forest.

Part of the Vision Statement in our Community Plan states: “Smart, sustainable growth strategies will guide future development, with an enhanced focus on preserving open space, maintaining a lush tree canopy, and ensuring sufficient infrastructure is in place.”

As we continue the process, I hope that we can well execute two key recommendations from the Community Plan: 1) Explore updates to the UDO that could further promote tree preservation and replacement in new developments – and 2) Increasing the number of trees required in parking lots. Both of these recommendations can help reverse the trend of the elimination of our tree canopy.

I am so fortunate to spend most every day in the heart of our town – and, to me, protecting the small town atmosphere of our Historic Downtown is essential. It is where our town started, and many of the buildings are 100+ years old. It is a wonderful way to connect current residents to our past on a daily basis.

I was proud to serve on the Renaissance Plan steering committee in 2016 that provided the guide for us to update our downtown area. Many things that were proposed in that plan have come to fruition, and we are currently updating that into the newly renamed Downtown Plan. There are two “Visioning Workshops” for this plan update that will be held on November 8th (11 AM & 6:30 PM) at WFFD Station One – and I hope to see many of you there to help shape the future of our Downtown!

###

Jim Thompson

What should be protected in Wake Forest?

Its been said that Wake Forest has “Big town energy with a small town charm”.

The question is how do we maintain that small town charm?

First and foremost is the protection of what we already have and that is our history. We must continue to work to preserve and protect the historic homes and buildings in our town. Special attention must be paid to downtown. That has become not only a great asset for our citizens, but people from all across the Triangle plan visits to our unique downtown. The town is in the process of updating its downtown plan. But how do we do this?  

To protect these valuable assets, we should implement a combination of strategies. First, offering tax incentives or grants to property owners who commit to historically accurate renovations can be a powerful motivator. Encouraging partnerships between local government, historical societies, and private developers can also foster successful restoration projects. Zoning regulations that respect and preserve the historical aesthetics of the area can guide responsible development.

Safeguarding and improving our town’s tree canopy is vital for environmental sustainability and quality of life. To achieve this, we should focus on several key strategies. First and foremost, implementing and enforcing tree protection ordinances can prevent indiscriminate tree removal during development, ensuring our existing trees are preserved. Initiatives to plant native and climate-appropriate tree species, often in collaboration with community organizations, can steadily expand our canopy. Regular tree maintenance and care, including pruning and disease prevention, are essential to sustain a healthy canopy and Wake Forest is fortunate enough to have an amazing public works team and urban forester. Lastly, incentivizing property owners through tax benefits or grants to plant and care for trees on their properties encourages widespread participation in our tree canopy enhancement efforts. By combining these strategies, we can safeguard and enhance our town’s tree canopy, making it greener, healthier, and more resilient for all residents to enjoy.

What other things should be protected in our town?
Last week’s question (which I missed) spoke about land conservation and potential land for other things like parks and fire stations.
Well, first we must figure out how to preserve current land. As you know, preserving our natural landscapes is essential for the well-being of our community and the environment. To protect our valuable lands, we can employ various strategies. One approach is establishing conservation easements, partnering with land trusts, or utilizing government programs to secure protected areas and limit development. I took a poll in a Facebook community recently asking if there was a desire to establish a fund for land conservation and/or infrastructure. Land conservation won out. Encouraging private landowners to donate or sell development rights can also be a win-win solution. Public awareness campaigns can help citizens understand the importance of land conservation and build support for related policies and funding initiatives. Furthermore, crafting long-term land use plans that identify areas for conservation and recreation can provide a roadmap for sustainable development. By combining these strategies, we can ensure the preservation of our precious natural spaces for current and future generations.

That leads into the idea of how we ensure future public projects like parks and fire stations. Securing land for parks and fire stations requires thoughtful planning. One effective approach is to designate unused or underutilized public land for such purposes, ensuring easy accessibility to the community. Collaborating with private landowners for land donations or affordable sales can also be a viable option, creating a sense of shared responsibility for public services. Additionally, Wake Forest can explore partnerships with neighboring communities to share resources and reduce the demand for land. Leveraging grants, impact fees, or bond measures can provide the necessary funding to acquire or develop land while ensuring community buy-in. By applying these strategies, we can balance the need for parks and fire stations with responsible land use planning, ultimately enhancing the safety and quality of life in our town.

In less than two weeks, we will head to the polls to vote. I would greatly appreciate your support on Nov. 7.
Don’t forget, despite what some candidates are telling voters, there is the ability to vote early. Check out the information here – https://www.wake.gov/departments-government/board-elections/election-information/early-voting.

###

Adam Wright

Question 1: What can be done to acquire and protect those large parcels, although the Joyner property is now assured it will be developed for maximum profit?

Answer: While the development of the Joyner property seems likely, I’m not entirely certain it will be developed. We’ve already rejected two previous projects, and the third one currently under consideration doesn’t align with my support. As I mentioned last week, our priority should be establishing a robust conservation fund for future use in acquiring and preserving parcels like this. It’s crucial to allocate sufficient resources to ensure the protection of these significant parcels.

Question 2: Are there traditions we might think of protecting?

Answer: One tradition that deserves attention is our Christmas tradition. I have a personal connection to the Wake Cares event and was involved in its inception. While it’s a valuable initiative, I believe there is room for improvement. I envision enhancing the event by introducing a broader range of vendors that can promote spending within our downtown area. This would not only preserve a cherished tradition but also boost our local economy.

###

Tom Ballman

Involvement from land conservancy’s is one such way. The Town is challenged by acquiring its own land for basic services, like additional parks and Fire stations for instance.  The Joyner property was an opportunity to introduce additional conservation measures, while also satisfying a specific need identified as far back as 2015. It was identified then that the Town is deficient in providing active or passive recreation west of Capital. That is, besides Plummer Park, situated inside of Crenshaw Manor. 

As for traditions that might need protecting, I fully support bringing back the Christmas parade since it was eliminated in 2019.  It appears there would need to be a whole new crew of life and volunteerism as well as organizations to bring this back.  However, I am confidant in the 55,000+ residents and their will to revisit this tradition, despite what inherent conflicts from the past may still reside.

Why not bring back the Christmas parade???

###

Ben Clapsaddle

I understand the Community Plan is a guide and vision of how we want to manage the development of our Town. This includes the protection of our natural resources, open spaces, parks, and greenways. I understand it is guidance and not law, but is it not disingenuous to have our Town citizens believe we will follow the Community Plan and yet we constantly allow exceptions by every developer?

 Why need ask the Voters of our Town to VOTE on a Bond Referendum to acquire Open Spaces. If we cannot get the funds from the Wake County or State, then we need a method for the citizens to express their views and to vote on whether a Bond for the express purpose of purchasing open space for protection, additions to our parks and recreation sites, and protection of our watershed.

 I am not oversimplifying this, I am cutting to the chase, with our Planners, concerned citizens and organizations, we can grow smartly and still protect our trees and watershed. We cannot wait until every open space has been paved over, every tree has been clear cut, every stream has been contaminated to make these changes.

If we do not fix this now, we may as well put up a historical marker that tells how we lost the Forest in the Town of Wake Forest.

###