HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. -- Town commissioners voted Monday night to rezone the area, allowing Orange County to build a new detention center at the site to replace the aging one in downtown.

It's a blow to some homeowners along U.S. Highway 70, right outside Hillsborough.

“What we had to look at was not only how does this fit in overall what we're trying to do in town, but also what are the costs of services,” says commissioner Kathleen Ferguson.

Commissioners say the space is abundant and cheaper than other proposed locations. The jail would be a part of a larger complex that would include other county offices.

“It's kind of scary having it so close to home,” says resident Amber Nedimyer, who signed the neighborhood petition opposing the new jail location.

“If someone wants to get out, they have a lot of places to run. There's a lot of woods. A lot of other houses,” she says.

Commissioners say safety measures will mirror those at the current jail.

“What you have are the facilities themselves. You have the staffing that's in place. There's no change in that perspective,” adds Ferguson.

Orange County commissioners will take up the issue next month at a meeting. Cost of the new complex could run nearly $28 million. Work could finish as early as fall 2020.