New Food Lion Locating At Adjacent Development?
Five months after Johnston County Commissioners voted 4-to-3 to reject a 193 lot subdivision, board members voted unanimously this month to approve an amended version of the same development.
Steel Bridge Crossing, LLC received approval this month for a rezoning and special use permit for a 124 lot Planned Unit Development (PUD) at 4150 Highway 42 West, just west of Cornwallis Road, in the Cleveland Township.
Jerry Dalton with Dalton Engineering said the mixed use development would include a Tractor Supply store along with residential homes with an average size of 2,000 square feet. Commissioners questioned but did not object to an average of four homes per buildable acre in the PUD.
The 124-lot PUD is situated on a 74.46 acre tract of land owned by William Henry Ford.
In May 2019, Commissioners rejected a request by Steel Bridge LLC for a 193 lot subdivision on 129.4 acres at the same site. That development would have included 108 single-family homes and 85 townhomes equal to about 1.5 units per buildable acre. Commissioners denied that request in part due to rapid growth in the area. One nearby resident spoke during the May public hearing expressing concern about increased traffic, flooding, and the lack of protection to wildlife.
Mr. Dalton told Commissioners on Oct. 8th, the previous development was not a mixed-use development, rather a residential subdivision. The new development was a combination of residential and commercial.
Mr. Dalton also disclosed during the meeting the development would include a Tractor Supply store.
Johnston County Land Use plans require two entrances for any development over 100 lots. Dalton agreed to limit the new development to 100 lots until a second entrance is constructed. The second entrance will be added on the west side of the property.
Mr. Dalton said the new development may also connect to an adjacent development on Highway 42 West at Cornwallis Road that may be anchored by a new Food Lion store. Commissioners were not opposed to the two proposed developments having an internal connection, but wanted separate entrances onto Highway 42.
During the Oct. 8th public hearing, Margie Riddell urged Commissioners to look at the impact the development would have on nearby public schools. Riddell asked commissioners to require impact fees from developers. Riddell, a school teacher, said she received no money for classroom supplies this year from Johnston County Schools. All the classroom supplies purchased at her school this year were paid for by teachers.
Chris Johnson, Director of Economic Development for Johnston County said he was not aware of Tractor Supply anchoring the development. “There have been several anchor tenants that have been mentioned for the project, but nothing concrete.”
Mr. Johnson said commercial growth is a plus for everyone. “With Johnston County surpassing a population of over 205,000, commercial development follows ‘roof tops.’ This commercial growth benefits everyone as it provides local shopping opportunities, jobs, as well as keeping sales tax dollars home. These important dollars goes back to support building schools and other governmental services that taxpayers expect.”
An estimated 20,000 vehicles per day travel on Highway 42 West at Cornwallis Road.
