The fate of Calico the Evil Clown of Middletown and a major development project are of great concern for some residents in Monmouth County.

The iconic Calico sign along Route 35 in Middletown sits on a large piece of land that developers want to use to make into a new mall. There is also a proposal to build hundreds of housing units on the property.

If the mall or housing units do get built, it is not known if Calico will have to be moved. However, some residents say that the location of the famous sign isn't as important as whether the development should be approved at all.

Those residents say they are not sure that a strip mall and housing would even fit in the area.

"I've lived here for over a year...the amount of traffic that comes through this whole area would have to be redone," says a Middletown resident named Aaron.

"This is not a progressive way to develop Middletown...or to meet the needs of the community who pay a lot of taxes to live here," says resident Pauline Hynes.

The Middletown Planning Board says that it has taken up the issue, but a decision was not made at a meeting held Wednesday.

A final approval from the board could decide if the development happens and where the famous clown sign would go.