ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
Goal: Preserve, enhance, and protect our environmental resources to produce a high quality of life and a sustainable development framework for the future.
Objectives:
1. Land Preservation, Open Space, and Critical Habitats - Protect high-quality natural areas as well as sites and habitats with rare plants and animals, high-quality soils, tree canopy, and/or critical habitats.
2. Water Quality and Conservation - Protect watersheds, wetlands, and streams by reducing pollution runoff, soil erosion, and flooding. Provide clean, high-quality water to meet the domestic, economic, and recreational needs of the community. Use water resources efficiently and sustainably.
3. Environmentally Sensitive and Sustainable Development - Develop and redevelop land in a manner that will meet future needs while protecting natural areas and resources. Enhance the quality of the built environment.
4. Air Quality - Improve air quality to protect the health of our citizens and enhance the economic development potential of the community.
5. Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Alternatives - Increase energy conservation and efficiency in all sectors of development to promote a sustainable energy future.
6. Light and Noise Pollution - Reduce the levels of light and noise pollution within the town.
7. Waste Management - Promote a comprehensive and cost-effective solid waste management program that protects public health and the environment, promotes recycling, and reduces the amount of solid waste.
8. Environmental Regulations - Encourage the creation and enforcement of science-based and cost-effective environmental regulations.
9. Environmental and Sustainability Awareness - Increase community understanding of the area’s natural systems and related environmental and sustainability issues.
10. Sustainable Development Practices - Continue to develop our serviceable land area while protecting the environment. By following sustainable development practices and making wiser and more efficient use of our limited resources, we can put our Town in the best position to accommodate future growth while maintaining an excellent quality of life.
See Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Legacy 2030;2015 Comprehensive Plan Chapter 3Natural Environment, Chapter 4 Facilities and Services, Chapter 5 Land Use, Chapter 6 Transportation, Chapter 7 Health, Safety and Wellness; and various chapters in the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO) for additional information.