Mass-Clearing and Grading is Prohibited in RES2 Single-Family Developments, Yet Here It Is

Commissioner Hill is Asleep at the Switch

In my run for District 1 County Commissioner, I have made the case that the main factor contributing to Forsyth County becoming the “fastest growing county in America” is our present commission allowing developers to “mass-clear and grade” single-family residential developments. I’ve talked about that subject enough that I am not going to explain it all again here.

Two county ordinances, taken together, allow mass-clearing and grading in RES3 developments, despite any protections of the Tree Ordinance. According to those same ordinances, however, “mass grading shall not be allowed in RES1 and RES2 zoning districts.”

Here’s my point, Forsyth County is allowing mass clearing and grading is RES2 developments, even though the ordinance prohibits it.

A case in point is parcel 047 001, located on Old Federal Road where it intersects with Nicholson Road. This parcel is zoned RES2. Before development started, this 60 acre tract was virgin pines and hardwoods.

The name of this new development is Brookshale.

According to Forsyth County Ordinance 73, mass-clearing and grading is not a permitted in Brookshale. But somehow, Forsyth County permitted mass-clearing and grading anyway.

Mass-clearing and grading is prohibited in RES2, yet here you see it.

According to Ordinance 73, Section IV(B)(19):

“Clearing and grading required for construction of streets, drainage, and utilities is not considered mass grading; therefore mass grading shall not be allowed in RES 1 and RES2 zoning districts; however, mass grading may be allowed for commercial and institutional uses permitted in the RES 1 and RES2 zoning districts. Mass grading may be allowed in the RES3 zoning district if the Department of Engineering determines that the topography and configuration of the property reasonably require mass grading.”

Brookshale is in District 1, Commissioner Kerry Hill’s district. Commissioner Hill is either asleep at the switch, or she doesn’t know what any of this is, perhaps both. I hold Commissioner Hill is responsible.

When I am District 1 commissioner, I will work to abolish mass-clearing and grading for single-family developments throughout the county. What you see here is the problem. Forsyth County does not need a moratorium. Forsyth County needs to abolish mass-clearing and grading, and the growth problem will resolve itself.

If you want to know more on this subject, please reference my article, “Sawnee Mountain Clear Cutting Could Have Been Prevented - Rules on Mass Grading Residential Developments Must Change.”

If you agree with me and want to stop mass-graded single-family developments, I ask for your vote for District 1 County Commission. Voting starts tomorrow.