Aerial view of Mocksville’s downtown area with intersecting streets, brick buildings, autumn trees, and cars parked along the roads. The calm and orderly scene reflects the town’s vision as outlined in its Downtown Master Plan.
Photo courtesy of Benchmark Planning

Community Input and Initial Research Reveal Priorities for Growth, Walkability, and a Vibrant Downtown

The Town of Mocksville is making exciting progress on its Comprehensive Plan Update and Downtown Master Plan—two projects that will help guide growth, investment, and community development for the next decade. During the December 11, 2025, Mocksville Planning Board meeting, consultants from Benchmark Planning shared early findings from background research, listening sessions, and the community-wide survey conducted throughout November.

From these early conversations, one thing is clear: Mocksville residents care deeply about their town and want to “grow the right way.”

A group of people sits around tables in a conference room, attentively watching a presentation on large screens about the Downtown Master Plan. Papers, notebooks, and drinks are on the tables in the brown-walled, windowed room with fluorescent lighting.

Community Engagement: Strong Participation and Valuable Insights

Over the past several weeks, the Town has invited residents, business owners, nonprofits, developers, and partner agencies to help shape the planning process. Engagement highlights include:

  • A packed Town Board presentation on November 4
  • Listening Sessions on November 18 with nearly 40 participants
  • A month-long community survey with 604 responses
  • Nearly 280 visitors to the project website
  • Initial research into Mocksville’s growth trends, housing, economy, and transportation networks

This strong participation reflects a community eager to help chart Mocksville’s path forward.

Key Themes from Community Input

Housing

Residents expressed:

  • Concern about affordability
  • Desire for high-quality design and materials
  • Mixed views on multifamily housing
  • Interest in infill development and downtown housing options

Downtown Vibrancy

Downtown is cherished as the heart of Mocksville. Participants would like to see:

  • Continued revitalization
  • Improved streetscapes and building aesthetics
  • More activities for youth
  • More dining, retail, cultural, and entertainment options

Mobility & Infrastructure

A major theme throughout the survey and listening sessions was walkability. Residents would like to see:

  • More sidewalks, greenways, and trails
  • Better traffic flow and alternative routes
  • Clearer communication about downtown parking
  • Systematic upgrades to aging infrastructure

Managing Growth

Residents value Mocksville’s small-town charm and want thoughtful, well-planned growth. Concerns related to development impacts, design standards, and gateway aesthetics were noted.

What Survey Participants Told Us

More than 600 respondents provided detailed feedback about what they value most, what concerns them, and what they hope to see in the future.

Quality of Life

  • 96% rated their quality of life as average or high
  • Top values included housing affordability, sense of community, and Mocksville’s convenient location

Top Concerns

Residents identified their top three concerns as:

  1. Growth and development
  2. Traffic congestion
  3. Schools and education

Most Requested Transportation Improvements

  • Greenways and trails
  • Sidewalks
  • Bike lanes
  • Public transit options

Downtown Use

Over half of respondents visit downtown multiple times per week—primarily for dining, entertainment, events, and shopping.

Environmental Priorities

Residents care deeply about protecting open space, wildlife habitat, and water quality.

Town Services

Satisfaction remains high in public safety and waste collection, with water/sewer upgrades identified as a future need.

A man in a suit stands at a podium, presenting Mocksville's Downtown Master Plan in front of a screen displaying key points and an aerial photo of the town. A microphone is set up at the podium for his speech.

Takeaways

Across all input and research, several themes have emerged:

  • Mocksville is growing—and residents want growth to be intentional and well-planned.
  • Downtown is a defining asset and beloved community gathering place.
  • Walkability, infrastructure improvements, and attractive gateways are important priorities.
  • The community values its small-town character and wants to preserve it while welcoming new opportunities.

Next Steps in the Planning Process

The Town will continue to gather information and work closely with residents, businesses, and partner organizations. The next steps include:

  • Ongoing research through January
  • A Downtown Collaborative workshop in January
  • A Planning Board workshop in February to develop draft vision statements and guiding principles
  • Optional update to the Town Board in March
  • Public Downtown Workshops planned for late March or early April

“We’re still in the early stages of this process, but every response we receive helps shape a shared vision for Mocksville’s future—one that supports thoughtful growth, protects our cherished community values, and ensures a vibrant, welcoming town for generations to come. I want to thank the residents of Mocksville and Davie County for the trust you’ve already placed in this effort and for taking the time to participate in the survey,” said Mocksville Town Manager Lee Rollins. 

The complete PowerPoint presentation given to the Mocksville Planning Board by Benchmark Planning can be found at www.PlanMocksville.com.