Winston Salem Times

The City of Winston-Salem has announced plans for the Lofts at Motor Road, a development project that proposes 216 affordable rental housing units in Forsyth County, NC. These announcements serve three procedural requirements - a final notice, public explanation of proposed activity in wetlands, and a finding of no significant impact.

The Lofts at Motor Road project is set to be developed on a 26.2-acre site at 4738 Mount Pleasant Drive, with development concentrated on the northern half of the property. The project will feature seven three-story apartment buildings with various bedroom configurations to accommodate households earning between 30% to 80% of the area median income. Twenty-two of these units are designated for individuals with mobility impairments.

The proposal outlines construction activities that include clearing, grading, and infrastructure installation, such as water, sewer, and stormwater detention systems. Site improvements will include parking, sidewalks, a covered picnic area, and a playground. Construction of the project is projected to be finished in 24 months with a total budget of over $50 million, funded by both the city and private equity.

A portion of the development, approximately 0.36 acres, overlaps with existing wetlands. After evaluating alternatives, the City of Winston-Salem concluded "it has no practicable alternative" but to develop the site as planned to meet affordable housing needs. The location along a transit corridor near essential services was considered essential. The alternatives considered were utilizing a different site, site design alterations to avoid wetlands, or imposing restrictive covenants, all of which were deemed infeasible.

"Without construction of that driveway, a portion of the parcel totaling approximately 8 acres would be undevelopable, severely limiting the opportunity for affordable housing construction," the city articulated.

The proposal has undergone an evaluation in line with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and executive order 11990 requirements. The City of Winston-Salem determined the project poses no significant environmental impact, negating the need for an Environmental Impact Statement.

Public input is invited, with comments and concerns to be submitted by April 24, 2025. The subsequent steps involve submitting an environmental certification and requesting the release of HUD Project-Based Voucher funds.

The city assures that all federal regulations were adhered to in the planning process, with W. Patrick Pate, City Manager, having certified the project's compliance with environmental review responsibilities.

For further details or to view project information, individuals can contact Matthew Burczyk, Project Planner, at 336-747-6884 or mattbk@cityofws.org. Written objections are also addressed to the HUD Greensboro Field Office and must be submitted according to set procedures.