The City of Winston-Salem has issued a combined final notice and public explanation regarding the proposed Lofts at Motor Road housing project, which will involve activity in a wetland area. The city also announced its finding of no significant environmental impact for the development.
The Lofts at Motor Road project is planned for 4738 Mount Pleasant Drive in Forsyth County. It will include the construction of about 216 rental housing units across seven three-story apartment buildings, along with infrastructure such as water, sewer, stormwater detention, parking, sidewalks, and recreational facilities. The development will be concentrated on the northern half of a 26.2-acre parcel and aims to provide affordable housing for households earning between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Twenty-two units are designed for residents with mobility impairments.
The total estimated cost for the project is approximately $51 million, with funding coming from both city sources and private equity. Construction is expected to take about two years once it begins.
As part of regulatory requirements under Executive Order 11990 and HUD regulations concerning wetlands, the city evaluated alternatives to developing on a site that includes about 0.36 acres of wetlands. Alternatives considered included relocating the project to another site, designing around the wetlands, or establishing a restrictive covenant to prevent development within them.
Regarding relocating to another site, city officials noted that “the option of locating the project on a different site away from the wetlands was considered. The City of Winston-Salem owns numerous properties through the city and has a strategic plan for how to work with developers to construct affordable housing on those properties. However, opportunities for constructing affordable housing are limited.” They cited challenges such as limited suitable publicly owned land due to floodplains or other constraints and emphasized that increasing affordable housing supply remains a community priority.
On designing around wetlands, officials explained that while avoiding direct impact was technically possible by providing buffers and maintaining wetland ponds, this would render about eight acres undevelopable due to access limitations: “Without construction of that driveway [over the riverine wetland], a portion of the parcel totaling approximately 8 acres would be undevelopable, severely limiting the opportunity for affordable housing construction.”
A restrictive covenant preventing development in wetlands was also found unfeasible because it would similarly restrict access needed for full use of the property.
The city rejected taking no action because canceling “would mean foregoing the development of 216 affordable housing units in Winston-Salem,” where there is high demand due to rising rents.
After reevaluating these options, city officials determined “that it has no practicable alternative” but to proceed as planned while implementing mitigation measures such as maintaining buffers and best practices during construction.
The notice outlines three main purposes: informing potentially affected parties; supporting public education about wetland protection; and ensuring fairness when federal involvement increases risk exposure related to wetland modification.
Public comments are being accepted until April 24, 2025. Written comments may be submitted by mail or email (mattbk@cityofws.org) addressed to Matthew Burczyk, Project Planner at Planning and Development Services.
On or after April 25, 2025, an environmental certification will be submitted along with a request for release of funds from HUD’s Project Based Voucher program. The city states: “The City of Winston-Salem has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment and an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.”
Objections regarding HUD’s release of funds can be submitted within fifteen days following submission if based on specific procedural grounds outlined in federal regulations.
Winston-Salem serves as municipal government providing local services within North Carolina boundaries (official website). The city’s responsibilities include managing infrastructure like water treatment plants capable of processing large volumes daily (official website) and fostering economic growth by supporting businesses and jobs (official website). Governance is conducted by an elected mayor and eight-member City Council who enact laws and approve budgets (official website).
According to W. Patrick Pate, City Manager and Certifying Officer: “The City of Winston-Salem certifies to HUD that W. Patrick Pate, in his capacity as City Manager and Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied.”
For more information or appointments regarding environmental records related to this project or comment procedures, contact Matthew Burczyk at mattbk@cityofws.org or call 336-747-6884.