Public Forum Nov. 9 on US 70 Bypass Plan

The Town of Clayton has scheduled a Public Forum Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm to outline its plans for guiding development along the US 70 Bypass corridor--and get public opinion.

The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of the Clayton Center at 111 E. Second Street and all residents are invited.

The "US 70 Corridor Plan," developed by consultants from the Wooten Company, sets out guidelines for future development that would allow the area to maintain its charm and beauty.

"The overarching theme of the study was to preserve the rural viewsheds along the corridor while promoting development standards that would preserve and enhance rural visual quality and minimize impact of future development on those essential qualities that define character of the corridor," the plan says. "While development pressures are seen as inevitable, the Town wanted to consider development options that did not exclude economic opportunities but rather preserved and enhanced the desired visual qualities of the existing landscape with future development. A primary goal is to promote and enhance the quality of life experience by protecting the community’s unique rural character and social fabric while enhancing the community’s appeal for new residential and business investment."

If approved, the plan will serve as a policy guide for future land use and land development decision-making along the highway corridor.

"The plan articulates development goals and objectives for the corridor against which short-term decisions regarding zoning, subdivision, utilities, stormwater management, transportation, capital improvements, and open space/recreational planning can be measured," the document states. "A particular focus of the plan is implementation of best management practices, land use controls, and development strategies that will increase immediate and preserve future opportunities for economic development while protecting the visual quality of viewsheds along the highway corridor and water quality within streams and water bodies."

The Town Council will take a look at the plan and study the public input at its regularly scheduled meeting Nov. 15. A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for the Dec. 6 Council meeting.

Here's a brief look at some elements of the plan:

* Sub Area 1 – US 70 / US 70 Business - Industrial uses

* Sub Area 2 – US 70 Business to Little Creek Church Road - Industrial and low-density residential uses to the north, and low-density residential uses to the south.

* Sub Area 3 – Little Creek Church Road to Ranch Road - Medium and low-density residential uses to the northwest, with conservation of wetlands and streams, plus greenway development: low-density residential uses to the northeast and southeast; medium and high-density residential uses to the southwest, as well as recreational, office, institutional and commercial uses.

* Sub Area 4 – Ranch Road to Barber Mill Road - Low-density residential uses to the northwest; Low and medium-density residential uses to the northeast, with environmental restraints; Medium and high-density residential uses to the southeast, with commercial development; Low and medium-density residential uses to the southwest.

* Sub Area 5 – Barber Mill Road to the JCMH/42 West Small Area Boundary - Low, medium and high-density residential uses to the northwest; low-density residential uses to the northeast; Low and medium-density residential uses to the southeast and southwest.

The plan also calls for planting small flowering trees, evergreen trees, deciduous trees, native grasses and flowers along the highway.

The plan is available for review at the Planning and Inspections Department in Room GS 202 of the Clayton Center. A PDF of the plan is available for viewing by clicking here.

The 10.7-mile stretch of road has been disignated a "NC Scenic Byway" and is considered one of the state's most lovely roadways. It was a finalist in the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' "America's Transportation Awards" competition shortly after it opened.