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By Jim Buice

CLEMMONS — Whether it’s called a retreat, special meeting or work session, the Clemmons Village Council took a break from an actual council meeting in January to get together at the Historic Broyhill Office Suites and discuss a number of topics to start off the new year.

“This session is more of an informative session for council,” Village Manager Mike Gunnell said. “With this particular council, we’ve added more meetings. They want to stay more of top of things.”

Gunnell said that the budget is “the big one” with the process starting in April and concluding in June when it is finalized. However, he said that the council had a lot to go over in its one day at the Broyhill, leading off with a philosophical discussion regarding a bill that the legislature passed that would require all municipalities in Forsyth County to hold partisan elections beginning this year.  

Attorney Al Benshoff advised that for elections in the village to remain non-partisan, there would need to be a change made to the charter, which the General Assembly could rewrite to change back to partisan if they choose. All of the council members expressed their opposition to partisan elections, stating they force everyone into a party bucket and don’t promote the diversity necessary to make the best decisions for the community. 

Benshoff presented a timeline for a charter amendment to be made and advised that a party must be selected for those who are registered as unaffiliated by April 18 or the completion of a petition process designed by the Board of Elections. The council agreed that amending the charter to reflect non-partisan elections would need to be determined by the desire of the public and is glad the League of Municipalities has this issue on their list of goals this year.

Other noteworthy topics from the retreat included:

• Annexation agreements with Bermuda Run, Lewisville and Winston-Salem: Flyte brought to council’s attention the annexation agreements that had been approved in the past have expired. The agreements with each of the bordering towns were all for 20 years and need to be revisited if the council is interested in renewing. 

Bermuda Run’s agreement stated that neither municipality will cross the Yadkin River. Winston-Salem’s agreement said that neither municipality will cross Muddy Creek. Flyte mentioned that Lewisville’s charter contains language prohibiting it from coming further south without an agreement in place. There is currently a meeting scheduled with Lewisville’s manager to compare maps and discuss boundaries.

Council consensus was to direct staff to move forward to start the process of possibly renewing annexation agreements with Winston-Salem, Bermuda Run and Lewisville.

• Board officials’ communication process: Council member Mike Combest recommended there be a formal communication process located within a policy or interlocal agreement with Forsyth County. He said that the Forsyth County Commissioners are operating under an 80-year-old government structure and there is room for refinement. He suggested that prior to the commissioners’ decision on any development in unincorporated Forsyth County that would impact another municipality’s infrastructure, air quality, etc. be brought to the staff’s attention for formal input on the project. Council consensus was to direct the staff to have conversations with the Forsyth County planning staff to gauge the receptiveness to formalizing development communication in unincorporated Forsyth County areas that directly affect adjoining municipalities.

• Conditional use of contract zoning: Attorney Benshoff explained the legal framework for contract zoning in the state, saying it’s a concept that has been around for 50 years. He said if the developer offers certain conditions that make their request more restrictive than the designated zoning requirements and the governing board agrees, it is legal. He recommended having conditional zoning as a part of the UDO as it provides elected officials more certainty. 
• Senate Bill 382: Attorney Benshoff advised the group of Senate Bill 382, which is retroactive to June 2024 and states that the council no longer has the power to amend someone’s zoning if it imposes greater restrictions on the property unless the property owner agrees. Currently, the consultant and staff are taking a wait-and-see approach depending on the outcome of the legislative session.
• Greendale Park: Manager Gunnell updated the council on the park, saying the gazebo and bridges have been taken out for safety reasons and that the park’s condition has deteriorated. He added that decisions need to be made on the next step, including asking the neighborhood to form an HOA and take care of the park or possibly make it a natural space area. Council consensus was to direct staff to come up with a plan and present the options for Greendale Park at a later date..
• Village signs: Assistant manager Amy Flyte presented three design options to the council of the new signage that will be placed entering the village as well as at Village Hall. The signs will be a new build with carriage-style lights, a 3D laser-cut backlit metal piece and a brick base.