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Planning board signs off on Jot Em Down proposals
Commission gets final say next month
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Forsyth County News
A retirement facility and shopping center proposed for northeastern Forsyth cleared a hurdle Tuesday night.

After a second public hearing on the matter, the Forsyth County Planning Commission voted 4-0 in favor of the request by Lindley Development to rezone 16 acres on Jot Em Down Road to neighborhood shopping.

Planning Commissioner Matt Murphy did not attend the meeting.

The board also unanimously approved Lindley’s request for a conditional use permit for a 45-unit, 18,300-square-foot personal care home/institutionalized living facility, also on Jot Em Down.

The planning board’s recommendations move on to the Forsyth County commission, which could give them final approval in March.

Attorney Ethan Underwood spoke on the developer’s behalf. He said the county’s future land-use map shows the area as neighborhood commercial and high density residential.

“We did do some analysis of benefits to the county ... at full buildout of the site, we estimate that sales tax would generate over $400,000 per year,” Underwood said.

While some residents voiced support for the development, others told the planning board they were against it.

Charles Smith, who lives near the site, said he was concerned the development would increase traffic.

He also said another retail center within a mile of the proposed development has been empty for two years, not generating any revenue for the county.

“It’s hard to imagine this is going to do much better,” he said.

Other residents echoed Smith’s remarks.

E-mail Julie Arrington at juliearrington@forsythnews.com.