Tuesday, Apr. 07, 2009

Clayton plans for more development on N.C. 42 West

CLAYTON -- A developer has plans for retail stores, restaurants and offices on N.C. 42 West next to the Johnston Medical Center.

Town leaders gave the development project, which will be on about 50 acres, a green light on Monday. But the project brought much discussion about how it would affect the new hospital, which will open in the fall.

The new development will feature a road between the retail hub and the hospital, said Jerry T. Dalton, president of Dalton Engineering and Associates in Clayton. A hospital official voiced concerns to the Council about how that road could dump traffic in front of the hospital.

“I don’t need any barrier to keep people from coming to our facility,” said Kyle McDermott, administrative director of construction for Johnston Health. “If it’s hard to get in and out, people will find another place to go. We can’t afford that.”

McDermott said the hospital is in favor of having a road that connects to the new development. But the hospital has only one entrance and exit. Until the state approves another way in and out, he said, drivers might be tempted to enter on the hospital side to visit stores or offices in the new development.

Town leaders said the hospital and the developers need to reach an agreement about when a connector road would be built.

Construction on the new project could start in a few months, Dalton said.