Clayton Town Council on Sept. 16 approved two conventional rezonings to permit development of public safety centers in the town’s north and southwest areas.

The council rezoned an ~8‑acre parcel at 119 Club Connection Boulevard from PDR (planned residential development) to Public Facilities for the Clayton North Public Safety Complex (PSC), and approved a separate ~8‑acre site at 1609 Veterans Parkway to Public Facilities for the Clayton Southwest PSC. Staff and the planning board recommended both rezonings; the North site required an amendment of the future land‑use map because it was previously designated low‑density residential.

Why it matters: Town staff emphasized that placing fire and police stations near growth corridors reduces emergency response times and, in turn, can lower homeowners’ insurance rates and improve public safety outcomes. The council cited public‑safety capacity as a top budget and planning priority.

Key points and commitments
- North PSC (119 Club Connection Boulevard): Rezoned from PDR to Public Facilities; site previously purchased from a neighborhood developer (Walton Farms). The action amends the future land‑use map from low‑density residential to low‑density residential with neighborhood center overlay.
- Southwest PSC (1609 Veterans Parkway): Rezoned from OFI (Office Institutional) to Public Facilities; consistent with future land use map designation.
- Staff said both sites will advance to design and permitting; the Veterans Parkway site is expected to be completed before DOT’s planned widening of Veterans Parkway around 2030.
- NCDOT coordination: Staff said they have coordinated with NCDOT about intersection geometry and median breaks to ensure station egress for emergency vehicles; the agency is aware of corridor improvements that include a roundabout and median/u‑turn provisions.

Quotes
- "These two public safety centers are a real game changer for us from a response perspective," the town manager said, noting the north site will improve access to Riverwood and surrounding neighborhoods.

Distinguishing discussion vs. decision
Discussion: Council and citizens asked about timing relative to the DOT widening project and intersection geometry, as well as which emergency services (fire and police) the sites will host. Staff confirmed both sites will house fire and police (note: one public commenter clarified the north site would be fire and police only). Staff also explained NCDOT had committed to median breaks or mountable curbs to permit emergency egress.
Decision: Council adopted conventional rezonings (ordinances 2025‑09‑04 and 2025‑09‑05) to change the zoning districts; actions were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Speakers
- Robert Tate, Senior Planner, Town of Clayton — presented rezoning requests.
- Town manager and Chief Raines (staff referenced public‑safety analysis); members of council asked clarifying questions.
- Resident Drew Harbinson attended and asked about service mix (fire/police) and construction timing.

Authorities referenced
- Town comprehensive growth plan (2045) goals and policies (consistency statements) were cited when the council made reasonableness findings; staff noted the rezonings align with policies encouraging public facilities for growing populations.

Actions
- Conventional rezoning ordinance 2025‑09‑04 (Clayton North PSC) adopted; motion included findings that the rezoning is inconsistent with the future land use map but reasonable given public‑safety needs.
- Conventional rezoning ordinance 2025‑09‑05 (Clayton Southwest PSC) adopted; staff noted consistency with the future land‑use map.

Clarifying details
[{"category":"site_size","detail":"Approximate site sizes for each PSC","value":"8","units":"acres","approximate":false,"source_speaker":"Robert Tate"},{"category":"timing","detail":"Veterans Parkway PSC expected to be completed prior to DOT widening (2030)","source_speaker":"Staff / town manager"}]

Proper names
[{"name":"Walton Farms","type":"development"},{"name":"Veterans Parkway","type":"location"},{"name":"Club Connection Boulevard","type":"location"}]

Provenance
{"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"seg-13323.164","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"So tonight, I have 2 items for you. The first is a conventional rezoning. This is 202553RZ for the Clayton North Public Safety Complex.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"seg-13965.035","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"We have a motion and a second for the adoption of ordinance 20 25 dash 0 9 dash 0 5 and the consistency and reasonableness statement. Is there any further discussion? All in favor, say aye.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}

Topics
[{"name":"public safety","justification":"Approvals enable new fire/police stations to improve response times","scoring":{"topic_relevance":0.96,"depth_score":0.65,"opinionatedness":0.02,"controversy":0.20,"civic_salience":0.95,"impactfulness":0.80,"geo_relevance":1.00}}]

Ending
With the rezonings adopted, staff will proceed with site design and permitting; council emphasized coordination with NCDOT on intersection design to ensure emergency vehicle access and said the stations will advance the town’s public safety coverage as growth continues.