Winston-Salem · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Winston-Salem public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Old Salem Design Review Standards Update
Property owners in Winston-Salem's historic overlays must get commission approval before making exterior changes like fences, walls, steps, or signs. Recent decisions highlight the strict balance between modern property upgrades and preserving historic character.
Choice Neighborhood Public Art Residency
City-funded art is progressing at the 6th-Cherry-Trade parking deck, through the Open Call 2025 artist selection (Kelsey Merreck Wagner), and at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Boston-Thurmond.
Winter Shelter Funding
Extra city dollars to keep winter homeless shelters open this cold season. It determines how many beds and services are available when temperatures drop.
Love Your Block Grant for Reynolds Town
A $270,000 grant for the 2026-2028 cycle funds resident-led neighborhood improvement projects, with a focus on the Reynoldstown National Register District.
Sunrise Towers Mural Project Parameters
The committee is choosing an artist to create a meaningful public art installation in east Winston-Salem. Residents weighed in on finalists, showing strong support for an artist whose work honors local history and legacy.
Northeast Suburban Area Plan Adoption
The planning department introduced the new Northeast Suburban Area Plan, highlighting growth pressures along the beltway and challenges with sewer utility limitations.
State Transportation Prioritization and Active Mobility Funding
The city and regional transportation planning organizations are navigating a tighter funding environment under NCDOT's Prioritization 8.0 division needs cycle. Officials are coordinating local input points to prioritize high-impact, lower-cost projects such as sidewalks, roundabouts, and ramp improvements across the region.
2027-2028 City Budget Recommendations for Infrastructure Maintenance
The advisory committee is pushing the city to invest more money into fixing broken sidewalks, maintaining greenways, and funding traffic safety projects to protect residents.
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Streetscape Project Progression
Winston-Salem is moving forward with the long-planned Martin Luther King Jr. Drive streetscape project, which spans over a mile from US-52 to Salem Parkway. The project includes pedestrian accessibility improvements, decorative lighting, enhanced bus stops, and raised crosswalks, with construction slated to begin in spring 2027.
Solid Waste Code Modernization and Fee Structure Updates
The city is updating Chapter 26 of the municipal code to reflect modern automated collection methods, establish clear container limits for commercial properties, and adjust civil penalties for illegal dumping and uncollected brush. These changes aim to improve operational efficiency and reduce missed collections while educating residents on proper cart placement.
Ram's Pointe Townhome Development and Extension
Efincia Companies requested a rezoning for an 81-unit townhome community on Sentry Point Lane. Nearby residents expressed strong concerns about increased stormwater runoff, backyard flooding, and the loss of local wildlife corridors.
Transition from MWBE to SBE Advisory Committee
The city is updating its internal rules and advisory committees to comply with state budget legislation that eliminated traditional minority and women-owned business enterprise programs, moving instead to a small business enterprise model.
Business Oversight Committee
Winston-Salem is shaking up its business advisory committee and small-business rules due to a new state law. This matters because it changes how local tax money and city contracts get handed out to entrepreneurs.
Need for Standalone Emergency Operations Center
City staff reminded council members of the ongoing legislative priority to secure funding for a dedicated, standalone Emergency Operations Center.
Residential Subdivisions and Planned Residential Developments
Everly Development amended its previous townhome proposal into a 62-unit single-family neighborhood on Teague Road. Neighbors raised issues regarding floodplain accuracy, construction noise, and tree buffers.
Removal of Minimum Parking Requirements
The planning board recommended eliminating minimum parking requirements across local zoning codes to comply with new state legislation, House Bill 162. This change gives developers more flexibility on how much parking to build while keeping design and safety standards in place.
Temporary Housing Development
Winston-Salem is looking to build a new temporary housing community with modular shelters to give unhoused folks a safe, private place to stay. Right now, the city is chasing federal funding for the project and taking public comments on its environmental footprint.
Liberty Street Park Surplus Property & Transformational Center
The city is moving to clear shelter structures at Liberty Street Park via public auction to make way for future community redevelopment tied to the Choice Neighborhood initiative.
Youth Curfew Extension
Winston-Salem is looking at extending its youth curfew all the way through 2027. If you live downtown or have teenagers, city leaders are about to heavily debate whether this rule actually keeps everyone safe or just cramps kids' styles.
Temporary Staffing Services Contract Extension
A proposed $3.5 million contract extension for temporary staffing was delayed after council members questioned citywide temp usage and departmental staffing levels.
Downtown DIY Skate Park Lease
Community advocates and the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership pitched a new multi-use outdoor recreation space featuring a skate plaza, pump track, and playground between 7th and 8th Streets on Marshall Street. The committee enthusiastically endorsed moving forward with lease negotiations.
Utilities Capital Projects and Infrastructure Upgrades
The utilities department reviewed major capital projects funded by enterprise water and sewer rates, including the Nielsen Water Treatment Plant modernization and various sewer rehabs.
City Facility Energy Management and Efficiency
City staff shared progress on sustainability initiatives, including LED streetlight upgrades, solar installations at fire stations, and a new public GIS dashboard. They also noted that natural gas use will temporarily rise due to the reopening of the Archie Elledge biosolids dryer.
Downtown Sidewalk Café Permitting and Noise
The city is moving forward with a new noise ordinance focused on large entertainment venues, setting an 85-decibel threshold enforced by police in response to citizen complaints.
Meadowlark Drive Self-Storage Rezoning
Developers requested a rezoning on Meadowlark Drive for a large indoor climate-controlled self-storage facility. Neighbors pushed back, arguing it doesn't fit the neighborhood character, while supporters noted it generates far less traffic than a previously approved bank.
Long Branch Trail Phase 3 Feasibility Study
The committee reviewed draft alignment concepts for extending the Long Branch Trail from 25th Street up to the Wake Forest University and fairgrounds area, evaluating four distinct corridors and various design trade-offs.
Old Salem Lawn-to-Meadow Conversion at 520 South Main Street
Old Salem received approval to replace a mowed lawn with an educational meadow behind the Gottlieb Schroeter House, with a rule keeping plants under three feet tall.
Chatham Road Kennel Special Use Permit Approval
Stella's Rescue won approval for an outdoor dog enclosure on Chatham Road, overcoming loud objections from West End residents who feared relentless barking and smells.
Cannabis Decriminalization and Fair Justice Act
City officials discussed public interest in decriminalizing marijuana, clarifying that state law still classifies it as illegal while highlighting that police use discretion to issue citations in nearly all simple possession cases.
Crim Road Industrial Rezoning Request
Residents strongly opposed a request to rezone agricultural land on Crim Road for a heavy contracting business, citing noise, early morning truck traffic, and disruption to the rural neighborhood. The planning board ultimately voted to recommend denial, agreeing that the use was inconsistent with the area's rural character.
Salem Creek Greenway Low Water Bridge Improvements
The city is studying design alternatives to resolve chronic flooding issues along the Salem Creek Greenway by redesigning a low-water crossing to improve usability and reduce maintenance costs.
Northwest Boulevard Streetscape Improvements
Residents and council members discussed long-standing infrastructure disparities along Northwest Boulevard, reviewing a new feasibility study that outlines $1 million in short-term safety fixes and a larger long-term vision.
Fire Department SUV Response Program & EMS Support
The fire department evaluated a pilot program using light SUV units to respond to routine medical calls and lift assists. This approach kept heavy fire engines available for true emergencies and reduced wear and tear on equipment, though expanding it permanently requires funding.
Water Quality
You can finally stop boiling your tap water! The official boil water advisory for Winston-Salem and Forsyth County has been completely lifted, meaning the water is safe to drink straight from the faucet again.
UDO Text Amendment UDOCC 36 (Flood Insurance Rate Maps)
Staff proposed updating effective dates for flood insurance rate map panels in the UDO to maintain federal compliance and ensure residents can access flood insurance.
Downtown Noise and Cruising Concerns
The city adopted updated noise rules to help control loud disturbances and improve neighborhood quietness.
Downtown Amphitheater Park Land Lease Extension
The city is planning a long-term lease of city-owned parkland at Crystal Towers Park to support backstage operations for a proposed downtown amphitheater. Because a long-term lease counts as conveying property, it requires a formal public hearing and review by the planning board before city council action.
Street and Sidewalk Maintenance Resourcing
The city awarded a design contract to build much-needed sidewalks, curbs, and drainage systems along Brewer Road, including a special connector spur to Parkland High School. Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2027.
Greenway Expansion and Funding Backlogs
The city is moving forward with 75% design plans for the Piedmont Greenway and upcoming plans for the Brushy Fork Greenway, aiming to connect major regional trails by 2027-2028.
Nonprofit Funding Equity and Access
The city is managing over 70 funding requests totaling more than $5 million for roughly $1.3 million in available funds. Council members discussed ways to ensure equity for new applicants, evaluate past performance, and potentially structure future funding through umbrella organizations.
Boys & Girls Clubs Partnership for Youth Programming
The city is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Triad to expand after-school and summer programs into local recreation centers, starting with the Minnie Lee Davis Harris Community Center.
Public Housing Eviction and Affordable Housing Concerns
Community speakers raised concerns regarding resident displacement and housing stability issues associated with federally funded redevelopment projects like Cleveland Homes.
Fourth and Church Parking Deck Agreement Restructuring
The city is getting out of its lease and operation of the aging Fourth and Church parking deck early, turning full control over to R.J. Reynolds. This deal gives the city $1 million upfront—part of which goes to Forsyth County—and saves the city hundreds of thousands in annual maintenance costs while securing public parking in a nearby lot.
Brewer Road Sidewalk and Parkland High School Pedestrian Safety
Design is underway for the Brewer Road sidewalk project near Parkland High School, with an additional frontage segment submitted for state funding consideration.
Firefighter Pay Raise
Winston-Salem just gave firefighters a much-needed pay raise with a unanimous city council vote. This is a huge win for keeping our emergency services strong and fully staffed.
Municipal Bond Issuances for Infrastructure
The city is issuing over $10.4 million in general obligation bonds to fund previously approved streets, sidewalks, parks, public safety, housing, and public facilities projects, alongside refinancing existing debt to save on interest.
Fire Classification Market Study and Pay Plan Implementation
The city is implementing the first phase of a classification and compensation study for the fire department, providing all certified fire personnel at least a 4.32% salary increase and adjusting pay grades.
Union Cross LCID Landfill Proposal
A developer is establishing a nearly 70-acre land clearing inert debris landfill off Watkins Ford Road. Neighbors and officials discussed heavy truck traffic and whether the developer should dedicate right-of-way for future road expansions.
Billboard Restrictions on US 421 and US 158
The county is adding new view corridors to ban new billboards along stretches of US 421 and US 158 to protect rural scenery. While local property owners with existing commercial rights are exempted, the move prevents future clutter as the highway areas grow.
Police Complaint Procedures Update
The city is updating its code to make it easier for residents to file complaints against police officers online or through the city clerk's office, while maintaining oversight through the Citizen Police Review Board.