The Big Creek Watershed has been a hot topic of discussion recently. Over 32,000 acres or about 50% of it sits within Forsyth County. The reason for debate comes in that State law mandates that only 25% of the entire watershed be covered with impervious surface. Forsyth County has already used up 20% of the allowed covered surface in what is built and what is approved to be built in the future...
The Big Creek Watershed has been a hot topic of discussion recently. It straddles 3 counties - Cherokee, Forsyth and Fulton - with over 32,000 acres or about 50% sitting within Forsyth County.
The reason for debate comes in that State law mandates that only 25% of the entire watershed be covered with impervious surface. This means that only a quarter of the 32,000 acres of the watershed can be developed.
This may seem like a lot, but in a three month study Smart Growth-Forsyth has done on the status of impervious surface in the Big Creek Watershed they found that a little over 20% of the allowed covered surface is already there or already approved to be built. This only leaves 5% left for future development.
The problem with this is that citizens that own land on the watershed may not be able to sell; therefore their land value is depreciated. Who would want to buy land they can’t develop because too much of the area has already been developed?
Smart Growth Forsyth sent the findings from their study to the County’s Planning Department as a rough planning tool to assist Forsyth County in managing the total percentage of impervious surface in the Big Creek Watershed. They also provided full list of recommended actions that the County could use.
Founder and Managing Director of Smart Growth Forsyth Robert Slaughter said, “People have to be compensated for their land if they want to sell.”
Smart Growth Forsyth’s main concern in this issue is to ensure the County’s status as a qualified local government, protect of our most precious resource, and to protect the rights of land owners.
They recommend an immediate moratorium on the consideration for approval by the Board of Commissioners of any and all zonings within the Big Creek Watershed until such things as:
To view this comprehensive report Smart Growth sent to the County click here. Be on the lookout for future news regarding this very important issue in Forsyth County.