Smithfield — The Johnston County Planning Board has backed a request to build a commercial shopping center in the Cleveland community.

Carolyn Martin, of Commercial Properties Development Corp., in Baton Rouge, La., presented the plans to the Planning Board last week. The Cornwallis Commons shopping center would sit on 13 acres at the intersection of N.C. 42 West and Cornwallis Road.

“I think this property will be more a neighborhood service center, which means it may have dentists, doctors, a daycare center, a bank and maybe a drugstore,” Martin said. “We haven’t ruled out grocers, but we have been talking to them for three years and everyone says they want to wait and see what Wal-Mart does.”

The request came before the board last month but was put on hold after residents of Austin Pond expressed concerns about the shopping center.

“We realize that the proposed commercial center is a multimillion-dollar project, but we wish to remind everyone that collectively, the residents of Austin Pond also represent a multimillion-dollar investment as homeowners,” the neighbors wrote in a letter to the board on April 15. “Our interests lie, of course, in ensuring the safety and welfare of our children, our neighbors and also the future residents of Austin Pond.”

Martin met with the Austin Pond residents to find solutions for their concerns. Martin agreed to limit the hours for trash pickup, install heating and air-conditioning units on the roof to minimize noise and build a barrier fence between the subdivision and shopping center. Also, Martin said fast-food restaurants would not be allowed on the outparcels.

One driveway will be allowed on N.C. 42 and two on Cornwallis Road. The southernmost driveway on Cornwallis Road will be a right-in only. Residents also want the developers to install a walkway from the neighborhood to the shopping center.

The request will go before the County Commissioners in July.