City Council

The City Council is considering amendments to Chapter 46 of the City Code, which governs noise regulations. These amendments are proposed in two phases. Phase 1, presented for approval, focuses on public assembly facilities like amphitheaters, stadiums, and outdoor sports/entertainment venues with capacities of 1,000 or more (stadiums 5,000+). It establishes a maximum amplified sound threshold of 85 dB(A), measured from the complainant's property line, in effect Sunday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Motorsports events at venues like Bowman Gray Stadium are exempted from this decibel threshold. The amendments also expand the list of exempted activities and integrate language from the County noise ordinance directly into the City Code. Violations are classified as a Class 3 misdemeanor, subject to fines of up to $500.00, with the venue operator held responsible for violations by tenants or guests. Phase 2, to be addressed later, will establish decibel thresholds for the Central Business District, commercial, and residential areas. The General Government Committee approved these Phase 1 amendments unanimously on February 9, 2026.

The City Council will hold a public hearing on April 20, 2026, to consider the voluntary annexation of approximately 0.02 acres of land known as Brookberry Farm – Phase 9, Lot 650. This parcel, located north of the intersection of Maple Chase Lane and Penns Meadow Lane, is contiguous to the existing city limits. The Planning and Development Services, Engineering, Sanitation, Fire, Police, and Budget Departments have reviewed the petition and found no significant concerns. The Fire Department noted a longer-than-average response time to the property, and the Sanitation Division confirmed City collection services can be provided. The Budget Office projects a minimal impact on the City's operating budget. The Committee of the Whole has recommended approval of the ordinance.

The City Council is considering a zoning petition from S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation to rezone a 0.51-acre property at the northeast intersection of Bloomfield Drive and Wilbur Street from RS9 to RM8-S. This change would allow for the development of a single four-unit apartment building, transitioning the land use from single-family residential to multifamily residential with a maximum density of 8 units per acre.

The Planning Board recommends approval, finding the proposal consistent with the city's Forward 2045 plan and the Southeast Winston-Salem Area Plan Update, which encourage higher-density housing near services and transit and promote a variety of housing types. The site is undeveloped, with an existing unopened alleyway that will be closed as a condition of the rezoning. The proposed development includes 7 parking spaces and is designed to be compatible with the surrounding single-family neighborhood.

Conditions for approval include the closure of the alleyway and ensuring building plans substantially conform to submitted elevations. The property is located in Growth Management Area 2 and has access to public water and sewer. Public transit is available approximately one-tenth of a mile away.

The City Council is considering a zoning petition from Sprout Ventures, LLC to rezone a 0.23-acre property located at 671 Brookstown Avenue from Limited Industrial (LI) to Pedestrian Business (PB). The property is situated on the east side of Brookstown Avenue, south of Shallowford Street and north of High Street.

Key Provisions:

• The rezoning aims to align the existing approximately 4,900 square-foot commercial building with current setback standards and allow for future redevelopment flexibility.
• The PB district is intended to accommodate office, retail, service, institutional, and high-density residential uses, encouraging pedestrian-oriented design.
• The Planning Board recommends approval of the petition.

Analysis:

• The proposed zoning is consistent with the Forward 2045 Growth Management Area 2 - Urban Neighborhoods plan, which encourages redevelopment of industrial sites and pedestrian-oriented places.
• It also aligns with the Downtown Winston-Salem Plan (2023), which recommends mixed-use development for the site.
• The site is well-served by sidewalks and public transit, with existing commercial and light industrial uses in the vicinity.
• A potential negative aspect noted is that some underlying uses allowed in the PB district could generate significant traffic.

This ordinance amendment (UDO-CC32) proposes to remove Section 8.4.6.B from the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO), which currently governs "Graded Slopes, Mechanically Stabilized Slopes and Fills." The primary change is to move the technical standards for these features from the UDO to the Infrastructure Development Standards (IDS), which already contain specifications for streets, sidewalks, and utilities. This shift is intended to streamline the review process by allowing an interdepartmental team of public works staff with engineering expertise to review these elements holistically with other grading and stormwater features.

Currently, the UDO limits most retaining walls to ten feet in height, with alternative compliance processes for taller walls. Peer communities typically do not include such height limits in their development ordinances, instead relying on licensed engineers to certify designs. This amendment aims to provide greater design flexibility for engineers to address unique project conditions.

The Planning Board unanimously recommended approval, finding the amendment consistent with the comprehensive plan to improve local land use regulations. The General Government Committee also unanimously recommended approval. The ordinance is effective upon adoption and is anticipated to have no material fiscal impact.

The Winston-Salem Transit Authority (WSTA) is proposing significant changes to its route network, set for City Council consideration on April 6, 2026. These changes aim to improve service frequency, create more direct routes, and introduce new crosstown services, while reallocating resources from less popular routes.

Key Proposed Changes:

• Increased Frequency: Eight popular routes (81, 86, 89, 92, 93, 96, 103, 105) will see their service frequency increase from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes.
• Route Modifications: Several routes (87, 93, 104) will be shortened or have their geographies adjusted to improve travel speed and efficiency.
• New Crosstown Routes: Two new routes, WSTA-X North and WSTA-X South, will be introduced to connect key areas without requiring transfers through downtown.
• Microtransit Zone: Route 97 will be replaced by a pilot microtransit zone, offering on-demand rideshare-like service within a specific area.
• Route Eliminations: Several less popular routes (82, 88, 97, 101, 102, 108, 109) will be discontinued, with their operational hours reallocated to higher-demand services.

These proposed changes build upon a 2020 route study and initial service adjustments made in March 2025 that demonstrated increased ridership on higher-frequency routes. Public engagement has included multiple meetings and an online survey, with feedback indicating that while users of retained services are generally in favor, those losing direct service are opposed, particularly concerning the elimination of Route 108. The WSTA anticipates these changes will improve service for existing riders and attract new ones, with no material fiscal impact anticipated.

The City Council of Winston-Salem is considering the issuance of multiple General Obligation Bonds totaling $10,440,000 for various capital projects and $37,800,000 in refunding bonds to reduce debt service costs. The proposed new bonds include $6,612,190 for streets and sidewalks, $449,345 for parks and recreation, $247,865 for public safety facilities, $1,130,600 for public facilities, and $2,000,000 for housing projects. These "two-thirds" bonds are being issued under North Carolina General Statutes, allowing for issuance without voter approval up to two-thirds of the city's net debt reduction in the preceding fiscal year. The refunding bonds aim to lower interest costs on previously issued debt. The Committee of the Whole recommended approval. The bonds are scheduled to be sold on June 2, 2026, with closings on June 23 and 24, 2026. The estimated interest cost for the new bonds is approximately $4.8 million over 20 years, and the estimated savings from refinancing is approximately $1.6 million over 10 years, representing a 4% net present value savings, which meets the city's financial policy of 3% or greater.

The City Council is considering a Bond Order to authorize the issuance of Water and Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2026, not to exceed $80,000,000. The purpose of this issuance is to refinance existing Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds from 2016 that have reached their 10-year call period. The refinancing is expected to generate an estimated net present value savings of $6 million over 14 years, which exceeds the City's financial policy requirement of 3% savings. The bonds will be paid from the pledged revenues of the Water and Sewer system. The proposed sale date is April 1, 2026, with a closing date of May 5, 2026. The Committee of the Whole has recommended approval.