House Bill 1226 is a local act that updates Winston-Salem’s zoning authority framework. It authorizes the City of Winston-Salem to delegate rezoning authority to the joint city-county planning board, while requiring the City Council to set rules, regulations, and guidelines for that delegation and to retain rights of appeal and final review. The bill also modernizes terminology throughout the local act by replacing references to the Board of Aldermen with City Council and clarifying definitions related to zoning amendments.
The bill preserves and restates Winston-Salem’s authority to regulate land use, zoning districts, special use districts, and special use permits, including conditions tied to development such as parking, buffers, timing, and other site-specific requirements. It also continues the city’s ability to extend zoning regulation into a three-mile extraterritorial area, subject to Forsyth County approval for actions beyond one mile from the city limits. The act applies only to Winston-Salem and becomes effective upon enactment.
HB1226 would amend several provisions of Winston-Salem’s special zoning legislation, expanding the city’s ability to delegate rezoning decisions to the joint city-county planning board while keeping final review with the City Council. It would not create statewide zoning rules; instead, it would alter the local statutory authority governing land-use planning, rezoning procedures, special use districts, and extraterritorial zoning in Winston-Salem and nearby areas. The bill also reinforces existing housing-related incentives by preserving the city’s authority to offer density bonuses or equivalent incentives for affordable housing development.
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate strong support or opposition. The bill’s local and administrative nature suggests it is likely intended as a technical or governance update for Winston-Salem’s planning process rather than a broad policy change. Its focus on delegating rezoning authority while retaining council oversight may appeal to those seeking more efficient land-use administration, while still preserving elected-official control.
The main potential point of contention is the shift of rezoning authority from the City Council to the joint city-county planning board, even though the council would keep appeal and final-review authority. Supporters may view this as a way to streamline planning decisions and improve coordination between city and county land-use processes, while critics may be concerned about reduced direct council control over rezoning decisions. Another possible issue is the continued use of extraterritorial zoning authority, which can raise concerns among residents and county officials about city regulation beyond municipal boundaries, although the bill preserves county approval for actions beyond one mile from the city limits.