The land is adjacent to the eastern right-of-way of Highway 125 and to the north of Dickens Farm Road.

Planning and Development Director Kelly Lasky told council the B-3 zoning would not impact Mid-Atlantic's plans and would allow the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, which owns the land, to construct a church if the plans for the eye care center expansion fell through.

Brian Crichlow, who owns Mid-Atlantic, was the only person to speak at council's public hearing.

“There is a tremendous need for eye care in the community,” he said. “We recognize the need to expand services and do our work in a more timely fashion.”

To provide retinal and surgical care, he said, requires a larger facility. “We have safety concerns for our current patients and want to expand the site for better parking.”

The expansion would also open opportunities for employment, he said. “We want to provide more care, offer additional services, additional access for safety and additional employment opportunities.”

Crichlow said following the meeting there is no specific timeline for the expansion and he continues his due diligence on the proposal.