Campaign Contributions and Motorcycle Trips: The Curious Case of a West Forsyth High Density Zoning
Why would a Commissioner who campaigned on low density developments change the land use map in their own district to pave the way for a mega-high density development? Why would they passionately advocate for the smallest lot sizes (3,480 square foot lots!!) in the history of Forsyth County for single family homes?
Why would a Commissioner who represents North Forsyth act as a quasi-agent for a home builder looking to do a deal in West Forsyth where she does not have any constituents?
While we can never know the true motives of one’s actions, there are some elements to this zoning that make this a curious case indeed….read on….
Less than two months after beleaguered Commissioner Todd Levent successfully changed the land use map in his district to allow the expansion of a high density node, he posted Facebook photos of himself vacationing with the broker who would broker the land sale to facilitate the high density development.
Facebook posts by Levent reveal that he has been traveling on motorcycle trips with the broker for years, and while we cannot say for sure Levent changed the land use map to benefit his motorcycle buddy, we can say it is the only time Levent has changed the land use map to expand a node in his 13 years in office. We can also say the rare node expansion proposal was introduced by Levent three weeks after an LLC was formed that would ultimately apply for the high density zoning.
After massive public outcry from the neighbors over the zoning prompting thousands to sign a petition in opposition (including over 125 signatures from neighboring homeowners), and after it was denied multiple times by the Planning Commission, North Forsyth Commissioner Cindy Mills stepped in to pressure other Commissioners to vote for the project.
Mills has facilitated private meetings with the developer and other Commissioners to try to get the zoning passed. In what observers have called “highly unusual” it was actually Mills, not Levent, who made the motion to postpone the zoning at the August BOC meeting. It appears Mills is now in the driver’s seat of a zoning 30 minutes away from her home.
Mills has poured effusive praise on the developer in public meetings. Remember, Mills does not represent the area, and homeowners in the area cannot vote for Mills, so why is she injecting herself into this contentious issue?
Again, one can never say for sure, but one of Mills’ largest campaign contributors in the 2020 election was the wife of the would be developer of the high density zoning.
After three Commissioners refused to pass the zoning at the June BOC meeting, Levent and Mills peppered them relentlessly as to why they would not approve the high density development.
Mills stated “I wish could get more developments like this in my district”, referring to the zoning with 120 town homes and single family homes on 3,480 square foot lots, breaking a record for the smallest lots in the entire County.
The zoning also reduces road setbacks from 50' to 10' and allowing lot coverage to increase from the standard 40% to 90%, largely because that’s what happens when you try to put a 3,500 square foot home on a 3,480 square foot lot.
This is what Mills wishes for North Forsyth? This may come as a surprise to Mills’ constituents in North Forsyth who are “under siege” with high density developments already and where traffic is gridlocked on a daily basis.
Levent shockingly stated he wanted the land owners to sue Forsyth County, which would come at the expense of taxpayers. After Commissioner Kerry Hill said she wanted to make a motion to withdraw the zoning without prejudice, to allow the applicant to come back with a different zoning proposal, Levent stated “I’d rather them have the opportunity to take this to court if they want to”. Levent, who is a fiduciary of the County, actually said he wants the County to be sued!
The high density development is on the agenda for Commissioners to consider again this week as the curious case of a zoning in West Forsyth continues.
