Wake Forest Residents’ Feedback
August 27, 2026
“First Priority – Let’s focus on returning land
for open space to minimize loss of habitat and provide healthier environment.”
“Development reduces natural habitats -> Less canopy coverage = less shade -> Dries out the soil and there’s no root systems preventing erosion -> Development runoff goes to new places and no plants to suck up water.”
“The Town should also consider using natural gas for generators, boilers, etc. In general natural gas is cheaper than using just electric, and is clean.”
“Nat Gas has no CO2 greenhouse contributions + is more $$ effective – meaning may cost less than electricity.”
“What is the timeline for replacing street lamps with LED? Our neighborhood (Tyler Run/Holding Ridge) is full of sodium-vapor streetlights.”
“BEE1.1H – Does this mean the Town will subsidize certain appliances over others based on energy source? Is that lawful under General Statute/Charter to incentivize certain market purchases?”
“Battery storage is costly, and has high carbon footprint. Better to put into grid especially during peak usage period?”
“Would love an approved/suggested solar vendor list that partners w/Wake Forest to facilitate installs and activations.”
“How to change HOA policies on solar panels? It’s not about aesthetics.”
“Consulting directly with our local NC wildlife group would be a great idea. They are very knowledgeable.”
“This is one of the best boards by far. Yes, native plants. Yes, habitat. Yes, record good behavior – e.g. not virtue signalling.”
“HOAs need to go!”
“A lot more environmentally friendly regulations of HOAs.”
“New development need to use native plants.”
“First, if every tree was cut in whole world, CO2 would still be processed by the oceans. That said, ecosystems emphasize that we save *unclear*.”
“Change UDO 8.5 so that Single Family developments have a C buffer (some greenery) instead of X Buffer (no greenery).”
“Tree canopy = cooler. Animal wildlife habitat. Should be native plants. Wake FOREST.”
“Petition NCGA to add a nature reserve zone under §160D-501. Petition NCGA to allow Wake Forest to manage clearcutting like NCGA did for Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Spencer, etc in 2001.”
“Environmental justice – help in the NE community trees shade.”
“Protect the floodplains by NOT developing floodplains.”
“Thoughts of creating a trout stream during winter months. Funding from trout unlimited and NC wildlife.”
“Floodplain -> bad development choice -> Crabtree Valley.”
“Require developers to plant native trees and plants.”
“A lot of good research was done in the past that seem to have been *unclear* away. FUND the 2013 plan to care for the Shady 80. Why do our elected reps never hear about what is neglected in funding?”
“Please make this real. Keep the forest in Wake Forest.”
“Where is the funding to hire more arborists? Shameful that the town initially rejected the piedmont bluff gift of property across from Joyner. Need town staff to think beyond their own jobs. Still nothing moving forward with that property. Very stupid.”
“Uncontrolled runoff from new development is causing massive erosion in my neighborhood (Holding Ridge behind townhouses).”
“Seeking further specific details of rain barrels, re: RHC2 IE designs infringement on *unclear*.”
“Interest in rain barrel program.”
“We should not allow building in floodplains esp. 10yr and less. Example is development across from Joyner park below the 60 acres. Those last few houses TOO close to creek stream.”
“Looking forward to more info on rain garden/barrels.”
“Several organizations already required cert, e.g., Warrior Family Chaplains. Great to see civic groups, build this out.”
“Maybe we wouldn’t need as many ‘heat action plans’ if we left some TREES and shade canopy.”
“Consider the wildlife!”
“Please don’t outsource any more departments to the City of Raleigh. Far less expensive and better service when it was Town WF.”
“Re-establish Town recycle center. Revenue from aluminum cans?”
“Keep up the composting program and grow it. Yes, install bottle fill stations around downtown for residents to get refills for free.”
“It is important to preserve the historic charm of WF in future development plans. The older homes attracted us to WF.”
“Really great ideas. The current compost drop off sites are a great beginning.”
“Better service before City of Raleigh. The volume is a good part of a disposable environment of cheap plastic junk that dies days or months manufacturing used to last years.”
“New toilets save a lot of water, but 1 flush = 3-4 flushes for #2. The flaps only last a couple years at best now. Once we started replacing, we replace *unclear*.”
“Thank you for doing all of this. Also curb development.”
“Love this! Please record a post session online for those that may not be able to attend.”
“Safe biking on streets. A lane off to side of a road is not safe and usually occupied by parked cars.”
“Connect more of greenway to amenities.”
“Nice idea, but what keeps people from permanently borrowing or stealing the bike?”
“We need a pedestrian bridge or tunnel to cross 98 either at Main or Wegmans to connect the two halves of Wake Forest and allow walking/biking shoppers.”
“Connector of greenway to the MTS trail should be a priority.”
“Would it be cheaper for the taxpayer for the Town to hire the people instead of contracting it out? Keep it in-house.”
“As a part of all business licenses granted, include the requirement that they support and help implement this plan.”
“It’s difficult to get behind programs like this while we witness the wanton destruction of forested areas for hundreds of new townhomes.”