Commissioners Moves Forward On $134.5M School Borrowing Plan, Industrial Rezoning Draws Concern

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – The Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved a controversial rezoning request, advanced plans for a new high school in Clayton, and addressed transportation and development issues during its March 16 meeting.

Commissioners voted to rezone 28.38 acres near Cleveland and Pierce roads in Cleveland Township for heavy industrial use, despite opposition from nearby residents voiced at a March 2 public hearing. The proposal includes plans for two speculative industrial buildings.

Since that hearing, the developer agreed to limit certain types of tenants, excluding uses such as data centers, asphalt and concrete plants, and most manufacturing operations. The rezoning will allow for packaging and distribution uses. Additional concessions include increasing the vegetative buffer between one of the buildings and nearby homes.

In a separate major action, the board announced its intent to borrow up to $134.5 million to construct a new Clayton High School on its current campus. The financing plan still requires state approval. A public hearing on the borrowing proposal is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 6.

Commissioners also encouraged residents to attend a town hall meeting on the county’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance, which will guide future growth and land use decisions. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 23 at the Johnston County Agricultural Center, where staff and consultants will present details, answer questions, and gather public feedback.

In transportation matters, the board adopted a resolution supporting a North Carolina Department of Transportation plan to improve the intersection of Cleveland and Steel Bridge roads. Proposed upgrades include installing a traffic signal and adding turn lanes.

Commissioners also requested that several neighborhood streets be added to the state’s maintenance system, including roads in the Barbour Farm subdivision in Wilson’s Mills Township and Maxwell Farm subdivision in Micro Township.

Additional actions included declaring multiple Public Utilities vehicles surplus for auction and accepting more than $500,000 in grants, donations, and miscellaneous revenues across several county departments. The funds include support for public health programs, law enforcement, library services, and social services, as well as a $353,764 grant that will partially benefit the county’s public transportation system.

The board also proclaimed March 15–21 as National Surveyors Week, recognizing the profession’s role in land measurement, property ownership, and infrastructure development.

Commissioners took no action following a closed session on a personnel matter.