WS Chronicle

Forsyth County commissioners voted on numerous items during its meeting last week, including new zoning standards that restrict metal siding on stores.

The zoning change, which was also approved by the Winston-Salem City Council in May, puts restrictions on building materials on retail stores under 75,000 square feet. It doesn’t allow metal siding, which can be visually incompatible with surrounding residential areas and other buildings, but there are many materials that are allowed, such as brick, stone, wood, concrete panels, Hardie board, glass and stucco. 

“Materials would be compatible with other large communities and other small suburban communities around the state,” said City/CountyPlanning Director Paul Norby.

Metal siding could still be allowed through Special Use District zoning that would require Planning Board approval and the approval of either the City Council or county commissioners.

Also during the meeting:

*Commissioners approved paying $33,539.78 to Craig’s Firearm Supply Inc. to replace 304 handguns used by the Sheriff’s Office. This will replace the current .45 caliber handguns with new 9 mm handguns. According to Sheriff Bill Schatzman, the 9 mm guns offer advantages in size, weight and recoil and will offer cost savings in both repairs and less expensive ammo. Current guns will be traded in as part of the purchase.

*They approved an increase in a contract between the Public Health Department and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for mammography screening and diagnostic screenings from $40,000 to $85,000 due to an uptick in patients in the department’s breast and cervical screening program, which serves uninsured women 40-64 years old.

*They renewed a nominal lease for three years with the N.C. Department of Public Safety for the Youth Detention Center on Sturmer Park Circle, which houses juvenile justice and administration programs for post-adjudicated youth. The land in the lease is reduced from the current 10.3 acres to 7.55 acres to allow for the possible construction of a dog run at the neighboring Forsyth County Animal Shelter.

*They entered into a two-year lease to keep Coffee Park as the coffee vendor at the Central Library with an agreement for the county to receive 5 percent of gross sales up to $1,000 a month.

*The commissioners approved $275,000 from fund balance for a new ambulance, which fulfills a commitment they made during this year’s budget discussions.

*They approved a memorandum of understanding between Forsyth Department of Social Services and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) that will require the local department to meet 27 performance requirements or NCDHHS could withhold state and federal funding.