Last week, town commissioners issued Pine Level's first planned-unit-development permit to George Schlecht of Neuse Park Development Co. The permit allows him to move forward with plans for a subdivision on 90 acres off of South Peedin Avenue at the edge of town.

The plans call for 131 single-family homes, 48 townhomes, 32 cottage-style homes and a 60-unit independent-living facility. The senior-living component could instead be an extended-care facility, Schlecht said.

"Potentially, there could be as many people in this development as people in Pine Level now," said Planning Board member Berry Godwin.

Godwin voiced concerns about the traffic impact of such a large development, and he called on the town to lobby the state to widen South Peedin Avenue to three lanes with a turn lane. The state's plans for the U.S. 70 corridor could make Peedin Avenue the main entrance to Pine Level, Godwin said.

But any traffic headaches would likely be years away -- turn lanes at the subdivision's entrance should take care of the first wave of traffic, town leaders said. And all residents who spoke at last week's town board meeting supported the project. "Let's get started," one man said as the mayor called for a vote.

The development won't go up overnight. Schlecht said the economy might slow his plans and that he would likely build the subdivision in phases over the next several years.

"We could, in theory, start in the dry season this summer, but I'd be lying to you if I told you that would be firm," Schlecht said. "I'd love to be able to."

The plans call for a little of each type of housing to be built at first, as the market dictates. Schlecht's team assured residents that the entrance would be done first to avoid any eyesores from the road.

Schlecht, whose other developments are around Clayton, said he chose Pine Level for his next project because of its location near Interstate 95 and U.S. 70. He also liked its proximity to the Smithfield outlet mall and other shopping.

"I think it's just the natural evolution -- things tend to grow out," he said. "Pine Level is in the edge of the development sphere. One of the things that attracted me about Pine Level is it looks like a nice, safe little town."

Though proximity to the Triangle is a selling point, Schlecht said he was not trying to create another bedroom community. Rather, he hopes the project will "appeal to the native population of Pine Level."

"It's almost like the blue-collar alternative, where real people can come live," Schlecht said.

The houses will feature smaller yards, and a homeowners' association will pay for yard maintenance on the cottages and townhomes. That should appeal to older adults looking to downsize and to single parents with a lot on their plate, Schlecht said. The neighborhood will have a community building and possibly a swimming pool.

"I don't want it branded as a senior-living project," Schlecht said. "My goal is to have a little bit of everything for everybody."

The project is tentatively called Crocker Farm; Schlecht said he might hold a naming contest to find a name of local historical significance.