Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Winston-Salem public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
18 issues with high priority
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.
Ram's Pointe Townhome Development and Extension
The council gave the Baker family's MTB3 Properties a three-year extension and approved flipping the project from rentals to 11 owner-occupied townhomes on a former city lot on MLK Jr. Drive, with $400,000 in city GAP financing.
Winter Shelter Funding
The city added $50,000 to keep winter shelter operations running November 15 through March 1 for residents experiencing homelessness, separate from the newly opened short-term shelter for women.
Love Your Block Grant for Reynolds Town
The city accepted $270,000 for resident-led cleanup, beautification, and public art projects in historic Reynoldstown; Council Member Burke questioned why the city added selection criteria beyond Bloomberg's and asked for a public list of active neighborhood associations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.