Public Forum Scheduled on Bypass Plan

The Town of Clayton has will hold a Public Forum June 9 to gather more public opinion on the proposed "Scenic Highway 70 Overlay," which sets out guidelines for future development along the US 70 By-pass that would allow the area to maintain its charm and beauty.

The Forum will give the public the opportunity for more detailed input on the Overlay, which was recommended recently by the Planning Department.

"We want to gather all the information we can, especially from those who own land in the affected area," said Mayor Jody McLeod.

The Forum will be held at the Clayton Center from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. A similar forum was held May 26.

The Town Council held a public hearing on the Overlay earlier this month. It attracted a large crowd of landowners from the area who requested more time to study the plan and more opportunity to voice their concerns. Many say the new regulations could hinder development and raise development costs.

The Overlay, based on a plan put together last year by consultants from the Wooten Company, will serve as a policy guide for future land use and land development decision-making along the highway corridor. It calls for guidelines that protect "the visual qualities of the corridor" and help maintain Clayton's "small town sense of community."

"New development along the SHO (Scenic Highway Overlay) corridor shall be sited and designed to minimize adverse impacts on scenic areas visible from the scenic highway to the maximum extent feasible," the plan says. "Development shall be clustered to preserve large areas of open space and the existing natural vegetation shall be preserved whenever possible."

The Overlay would require development to follow design guidelines that would help buildings blend into the natural setting around them. It also calls for the area to be "pedestrian friendly," with walking trails, marked crosswalks, "generous" plantings and public art. The plan prohibits bright signs, unfinished concrete or masonry walls, unscreened dumpsters or trash receptacles and what it calls "distracting or frivolous objects." Symbols, including trademarks, which have what it calls "a negative impact on the visual environment" would not be allowed on buildings. In addition, all buildings in the area must maintain their design on all sides.

For a look at the proposal, please visit the Planning Department's portion of the Town of Clayton website by clicking here.

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