1,326-Unit Mallard Crossing Project Advances; Construction Could Begin Late 2026
SMITHFIELD, N.C. — The Smithfield Town Council on March 17 unanimously approved the preliminary plat for the Mallard Crossing subdivision, advancing a large-scale residential development planned east of Interstate 95.
The project, submitted by Mallard Smithfield NC, LLC, will include 1,326 homes on approximately 470 acres off Mallard Road. The plan features 872 single-family detached homes and 454 townhomes, a reduction of one unit from a previously approved 1,327-unit master plan.
Mallard Crossing, formerly known as Woodleaf, was originally approved in 2022 with 2,005 units, including apartments. In August 2025, the council approved a revised master plan eliminating multifamily buildings and reducing the overall density. The current plan maintains that lower-density approach at 2.8 units per acre.
Development Plans and Amenities
The neighborhood will be built in five phases beginning in late 2026 or early 2027, with full buildout expected by 2032.
Plans call for seven distinct residential areas, including age-targeted, maintenance-free housing where upkeep will be handled by a homeowners association. The development will also include two clubhouses, two swimming pools and a range of amenities such as trails, playgrounds and open space.
Developers have designated about 25 acres as active open space, with additional passive areas including wetlands and wooded buffers. A multi-use trail is planned along Mallard Road and within a Duke Energy easement.
Traffic and Infrastructure
A traffic impact analysis found the development is expected to add about 3,000 trips per day to Mallard Road and nearby Brogden Road near I-95.
Traffic counts from 2023 show about 2,900 vehicles per day currently use Brogden Road. With the development, that number is projected to rise to approximately 5,900 vehicles daily—still below the road’s estimated capacity of 12,000 vehicles per day.
Several roadway improvements will be required, including turn lanes and a future traffic signal at Brogden Road at I-95.
The development will have seven access points along Mallard Road.
Utilities and Annexation
Water and sewer service will be provided by the Town of Smithfield, with plans to expand infrastructure, including new water mains and two pump stations to support the full buildout.
The developer has indicated plans to submit a voluntary annexation request in the future to bring the property into town limits.
Background and Approval
The preliminary plat marks the next step following the amended master plan approved in August 2025.
Town planning staff determined the plan is consistent with the town’s comprehensive plan and zoning requirements for medium-density residential development.
The council approved the plat with conditions, including requirements for stormwater management, trail easements, architectural standards and oversight by a homeowners association.
No one spoke in opposition during the March 17 public hearing on the project.
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Doing something to brogden road would be great it’s in pretty bad shape
“No one spoke in opposition during the March 17 public hearing,” but I’m sure the snowflakes and keyboard warriors will have plenty to say here! #getInvolvedOrStopComplaining
Hey dip💩 people have JOBS! Not everyone who opposes this cookie-cutter 💩 hole can go to the meeting because we have to put food on our tables! If they really gave a da*n what people want they would allow zoom, and or hold the meeting on a Saturday.
Great point. They schedule it this way so the public *can’t* show up.
You actually think they would have cared what people said? You are naive to the core. The big developers own commissioners. They don’t care what the public says. They’re going to build that stupid baseball field even though they know people don’t want it.
That is exactly what joco needs. More houses. Prepare for your taxes to skyrocket. The county commissioners forget that all of these houses will need water, electric sewer, police ,fire , ems, school, road construction, gas, traffic lights. these massive subdivisions never are a good thing for a county. They should approve 100 houses minimum 3000 ft.² on an acre lot. Those would help the county through increasing tax base, but not increasing all of the necessities that go along with the 1300 houses on an eighth of an acre lot. These county commissioners and whoever playing this are a bunch of idiots and there’s no doubt in my mind, they are getting some kind of a kickback.
Will it be for low income or base on your income…….sooo what it’s gonna be please don’t tell me it’s incom 3 times the rent right? Please inlighten us on
Your English teacher should be fired.
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.
Need to build a fire station near the development. Fully staffed with proper number of apparatus and fire fighters. This is in addition to the one needed in North Smithfield.
And of course, that will cost millions so prepare “as I said” for everyone in the counties taxes to increase because of a massive subdivision in Smithfield. It amazes me how elected officials Are generally the people with the least common sense. I guess you begin to believe your own hype that you think people love you because you got elected. Quite frankly, this board of commissioners should be recalled.
so when does it stop when the rich get richer enough is enough
But that’s the crux of the American Dream, to get as obscenely rich as possible
I think the question she’s trying to ask says it all.
More houses being built? There’s already two or three subdivisions being built and just started to take shape. Can, it wait for the economy get better (which I hardly doubt any time soon) to have any of these houses to be sold. As the old saying goes”to many chiefs, not enough Indians!!” In other words too many houses not enough buyers!!! What else can these county commissioners and town councils spend our money on that’s not needed at the moment. They rather reach into our wallets/purses to spend money than reaching into theirs to spend.
The developers should pay a fee for each home that covers all requirements of water, sewage, electrical, etc. The taxpayers should not be on the hook for any of these costs! Nice how the town has not annexed that project Before approval. Hmmm!
And here we are in a drought and water shortage. We’ve been under restriction for so long I can’t remember when it started. The public utilities are calling asking people to conserve.
No new housing starts should be allowed as long as the county is under water restriction.
Can we have an article about the current water situation?