Summary
The board approved exercising an option to purchase about 51.5 acres off Johnson Estate Road for county land banking (community college and other governmental uses); due diligence was completed and closing was planned by the end of the month.
The Johnston County Board of Commissioners voted Oct. 20 to exercise an option to purchase approximately 51.5 acres off Johnson Estate Road in Clayton for county land banking.
County attorney (Lester) told the board the parcel was under option and due diligence — including wetlands delineation, a Phase I environmental assessment and surveying — has been completed. Staff said the property is intended for land banking to support Johnston Community College and other future governmental needs.
Attorney and staff updates: Attorney Lester said the county has been in contact with the Town of Clayton and adjacent property owners. She said Clayton has indicated future development on adjacent parcels would be required to provide a stub connection to the county’s property and that plat maps show proposed dedications. The county’s real estate attorney Jason Wenzel and project consultant Josh Bennett were present to answer technical questions. Lester said if an access-easement or geotechnical issue arises during final review, the county’s remedy would be not to close and the $5,000 option fee previously paid would be at risk.
Commission action and timing: The option expires Oct. 21; the board exercised the option and authorized staff to move forward with closing by the end of the month, per contract timelines. Commissioners voted to approve exercising the option.
Next steps: Staff will work to finalize access details and pursue simultaneous closings on related parcels as negotiated; closing is subject to satisfactory resolution of access and geotechnical matters.
