Forsyth Commissioners delay rezoning vote for major housing development near Clemmons

Forsyth County Commissioners recently delayed a vote on a rezoning request for a multimillion-dollar housing development near Clemmons. Local officials want more time to look at traffic data in this growing community.

The village of Clemmons has seen an increase in population and new businesses over the past decade. With this growth comes more traffic. It's one of the reasons some community members say they are opposed to a new housing development that's being planned off of Idols Road.

More than 530 single-family homes and townhomes would be built in the development known as Riverwalk.

Clemmons Mayor Mike Rogers spoke at a recent public hearing on the issue. He says he's not opposed to the project, but has concerns about how it could impact traffic flow at other congested intersections. He says village officials are waiting to review additional traffic information from the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

“We have no idea what their plans are. We have no idea if they have even included this Riverwalk development in their calculations of almost 5,000 vehicles a day," says Rogers. "Salem Glen is having 80 homes being built right now. What are they taking into account on their design?”

The nearly 320-acre project would also border county-owned Tanglewood Park. Local residents worry that it could also interfere with views of the site and they're concerned about potential impacts on the nearby Yadkin River.

The project's developer, R.S. Parker Homes, says it has made traffic improvements based on community feedback and addressed other concerns in an updated plan. That includes adding a brick wall, security fencing and buffers around the park and making sure the area near the river is left as open space.

Greg Garrett with the company says the development will add a variety of housing that's needed in the community.

“One of the needs that has been abundantly clear is we need housing for our aging population," says Garrett. "So we have a vision that this community will be an age-targeted neighborhood, if not age restricted.”

Garrett says they plan to make it a community for people aged 55 and older.

Forsyth County commissioners are expected to vote on the rezoning request on August 25. The multiyear housing project would be built in four phases. If all goes as planned, the developer says construction would begin next spring.

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