After making a few minor adjustments requested by landowners in the area, the Clayton Town Council this week adopted the "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 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."

"The concern we all have is having quality development," said Mayor Pro Tem Michael Grannis.

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

Adjustments to the original plan include reducing the geographic boundary of the Overlay to 1,000 feet from the centerline of the highway from the original 2,000 feet specified in the plan; reducing residential development setbacks to 50 feet from the original 100 feet, but with incentives to maintain the preferred 100-foot distance and making waivers to the new regulations available through the Town Council only.



The Overlay requires 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." Any 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.

"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 raised some concerns earlier this year when it was first introduced. Some who own land in the area said the new regulations might hinder development and raise development costs. A pair of public forums on the regulations led to the adjustments made this week.