‘If you build it, they will come’
Forsyth County is considering putting a business park on this land that’s off Idols Road.
Forsyth County considers creating new business park
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE
Forsyth County commissioners heard plans to turn nearly 170 acres next to Tanglewood Park into a business park during their Thursday, Aug. 18, briefing.
The land, which is off Idols Road, was acquired years ago by a commissioner-appointed park authority that ran Tanglewood before the county took direct control over the park’s management in 2000. The land has been considered for many things through the years, including golf course expansion and equestrian use.
The new plan to turn it into a business park for light industrial use, addresses a challenge that the county has with a lack of available land for business development.
The plan divides the land into six lots of varying sizes. Businesses have already expressed interest in purchasing lots one and two, which are approximately 15 acres and 83 acres respectively.
“The old saying is, ‘If you build it, they will come’ and that’s what happened to this business park,” said Dan Kornelis, county director of housing and community development.
Currently, the site is undeveloped. The county will need to develop the land, installing water and sewer to serve the businesses that will locate there.
A road will also need to be constructed to serve the new businesses. The property is part of unincorporated land and the county is looking to the Village of Clemmons to annex it. The hope is that Clemmons will build and maintain the road, and possibly help pay for development.
In the next couple months, the county will need to rezone the area for light industrial use.
It will also need to approve an annexation and inter-local agreement with Clemmons, along with various other aspects of the development.
County Manager Dudley Watts said the county will make money from selling the land, so the project should pay for itself.
County Commissioner Walter Marshall said that, while county land is a precious commodity, he felt this was a good use of it that will attract businesses to the area.
“It’s a good project,” said Marshall.
County Commissioner Chair Dave Plyler also thought it would benefit the county.
“It will bring us more industries, more taxes and be good for the citizens as a result,” said Plyler.
