Council approves Heffner mixed-use rezoning despite neighborhood demands for larger buffer

The Clayton Town Council on Aug. 19 approved a conditional rezoning that clears the way for a 74.08-acre mixed-use development along Clayton Boulevard, including about 51 acres of commercial space and roughly 16 acres of multifamily housing. The council adopted the developer’s concept plan and a set of conditions that tie the plan to the land.

Supporters and the applicant said the project will bring retail and housing to the town and include traffic and stormwater improvements. Tom Lowell of Casto, the project developer, told council, “We hope it's going to be a successful project, not just for us, but for Clayton and the community.” Assistant Planning Director Haley Downey summarized the plan’s limits, saying the application “are limiting up to 12 units per acre for development for the multifamily component.”

Why it matters: the site sits east of Johnston Charter Academy and adjacent to the Dogwood Forest subdivision. Residents said they accept development but asked the council to preserve a larger natural buffer than the one proposed and to require stronger…