Johnston Commissioners Back Industrial Rezoning Despite Neighbor Concerns

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – A controversial industrial rezoning in the Cleveland community, uncertainty over the completion of a major broadband expansion project and funding for a future Neuse River Trail connection were among the issues before the Johnston County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 8.

Industrial Rezoning Approved

Commissioners approved a request to rezone 51.75 acres at 2959 Cornwallis Road in the Cleveland community for industrial use.

Longleaf Industrial plans to develop four buildings on the property for warehousing and distribution operations.

Several neighboring residents opposed the request, arguing the proposed industrial development would be incompatible with nearby homes.

A majority of commissioners, however, supported the rezoning and said they would prefer to see industrial development on the property rather than additional residential growth. Commissioners noted that new housing can create greater demand for county services than the property taxes it generates.

Commissioner Bill Stovall cast the only vote against the rezoning.

Stovall expressed concern that Cornwallis Road may not be able to handle the additional traffic generated by an industrial development of that size.

Broadband Project Faces Dec. 31 Deadline

Commissioners also received an update from Brightspeed on its effort to expand high-speed internet service across Johnston County.

The company is using a combination of public and private funding to extend broadband service to 39,409 homes and businesses in the county.

Brightspeed has reached nearly three-fourths of those addresses, but a company representative told commissioners it could not guarantee all work would be completed by the end of the year.

That creates a potential problem for the county.

Johnston County committed $500,000 in federal COVID-relief funding to the Brightspeed project. Those federal funds must be spent by Dec. 31 or the county risks losing them.

Under the current agreement, however, Johnston County is not required to make the $500,000 payment until Brightspeed completes all of its work.

With completion by Dec. 31 uncertain, commissioners will have to decide whether to amend the agreement and allow payment before the entire project is finished.

A Brightspeed representative told the board the company has already incurred expenses that qualify for reimbursement under the agreement.

Commissioners took no final action on changing the agreement Tuesday.

$330,000 Approved For Future Trail Connection

The board gave Johnston County Parks and Open Space permission to use $330,000 from the county’s open space fund to assist the Triangle Land Conservancy with the purchase of 48 acres near Clayton.

The property is expected to eventually become part of a new segment of the Neuse River Trail.

Plans call for the future trail segment to connect the Flowers Plantation area with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the East Coast Greenway.

The county’s open space fund is supported by fees paid by developers who choose not to provide open space within their subdivisions.

Veteran Receives Cypress Legacy Award

Commissioners presented the county’s second Cypress Legacy Award to retired U.S. Army Col. Rudy Baker.

Baker, a Johnston County native, served during a military career that took him to Korea, Vietnam and Iran.

Following his military service, he spent 18 years working in banking.

Baker has also served on the board of the Airborne & Special Operations Museum at Fort Bragg since its inception and previously served as chairman of the Johnston County Veterans Service Advisory Board.

Appointments And Budget Amendments

Commissioners appointed Patricia Chisholm-Jones, William W. Massengill Jr. and Jeff Parlier to the Hospital Authority Board of Commissioners.

Larry J. Pittman was appointed to a three-year term on the Veterans Services Advisory Board.

The board also granted a Town of Smithfield request to appoint Kellie Youngblood to the Smithfield Planning Board. Youngblood will represent the portion of Smithfield’s planning jurisdiction outside the town limits, commonly known as the extraterritorial jurisdiction, or ETJ.

Several budget amendments were also approved.

The Fire District Fund Tax was amended to recognize an additional $46,380 in revenue, while the Health Department received a $167,633 Medicaid-related amendment.

Commissioners approved the use of $27,804 from reserves for the Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield to cover expenses including office supplies, children’s books and marketing.

The Sheriff’s Office budget was amended to recognize $2,807.13 in insurance proceeds.

Commissioners Issue Proclamations

The board proclaimed Sept. 12-26 as Fall Litter Sweep in Johnston County, calling on residents to take an active role in cleaning their communities.

Commissioners also proclaimed Sept. 6-12 as Firefighters Week, recognizing the work and sacrifices of firefighters serving Johnston County.

Sept. 20-26 was designated Child Passenger Safety Week, with Sept. 26 recognized as Seat Check Saturday. The proclamation reminds parents and caregivers of the importance of using child restraints appropriate for a child’s age, size and developmental needs.

Commissioners ended the meeting with a closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters. No action was taken after the closed session.