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PUBLIC SPEAKS ON WAL-MART
Public hearing on a proposed Wal-Mart near the Wilderness battlefield in Orange County draws a big crowd.
Date published: 5/22/2009 BY ROBIN KNEPPER A public hearing last night on a proposal to build a Wal-Mart Supercenter near the Wilderness Battlefield park drew a big crowd, but little noise and no vote. About 200 people turned out for the Orange County Planning Commission hearing on a special-use permit to build the Supercenter off State Route 3. A total of 73 people spoke, with opponents outnumbering supporters about 2-to-1. Almost all of the foes said they do not oppose a Wal-Mart store in the county but think the proposed location would negatively affect the Civil War battlefield. Supporters said the county needs the shopping, jobs and tax revenue the retail center would bring. The audience sat quietly while Wal-Mart attorney Tom Kleine presented the retail giant's plan for a 138,000-square-foot Supercenter on 19.5 acres north of the intersection of State Routes 3 and 20. The application also calls for three other parcels with a total of 98,750 square feet of retail, service and restaurant space on 14.5 acres. The crowd also remained silent as speakers came forward to voice opinions on the proposal. About three-quarters of the crowd had drifted away by 10:30 p.m. The county's staff has recommended approval of the permit application, but planning commissioners recessed around 11:10 p.m. without taking a vote. "We've been thinking about this for over a year," said Planning Commission member Bill Speiden. "We need to consider all the information before us." The commission agreed to meet June 11 to discuss the permit further. Its recommendation goes to the Board of Supervisors for a final decision. Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
Read more stories about Orange Date published: 5/22/2009
Another LOW Walmart Proponent
(posted by
Harrison
, June 13, 2009 7:04 am)
I agree whole-heartedly with LOW 25-Yr Resident's comments and would like to add- Why does the Walmart site impose on the battlefield when apparently Sheets, McDonalds, 7-11, and 2 strip malls do not? Lets get real. I would like to recommend that JDC Ventures develop this site like Hilton Head's Walmart --Face the back of the building to Rt 3- buffered by trees for low visibility. Come on folks, say YES to the inevitable NOW and save tax dollars in the long run. My budget says YES! How about yours?
LOW resident 25 years
(posted by
wildernessjim
, May 22, 2009 6:18 pm)
As a resident and a decendant of one of those who survived the Wilderness Battle I say BUILD IT! We need jobs and I am tired of my taxes going up every year. The Battlefield pays no taxes to Orange County and all of those that wrote the emails to the county pay nothing to Orange County. If you want a battlefield buy it and make sure taxes will be paid by the COMMERCIAL battlefield park. It is amazing that someone living thousands of miles from Orange thinks they can determine what happens here. IDIOTS!
2/1 Opposed to the Walmart Store...
(posted by
tc_culpeper
, May 22, 2009 5:04 pm)
I suppose we'll have to wait and see what happens. With gas prices rising, it would definitely save me money in the distance I would have to travel if the proposed site were to accommodate Walmart. Having said that, I am still opposed to building it at the Rt 3 location. There are other locations which would support such a store in Orange County...build there!
WalterH
(posted by
Opiniontoshare
, May 22, 2009 1:15 pm)
We'll know if they made their case when the Planning Commission and the BOS make their decision. They are the ones who have to be convinced.
Sick of this!
(posted by
LGMOM
, May 22, 2009 10:08 am)
Who cares! This nonsense has gone back and forth for months! In all honesty the majorty of the people that don't want this built is Lake of the Woods community. Not everyone, but mostly..Lake of the Woods does not run the entire Locust Grove and Orange county area. We Need the jobs and the options to grocery shop elsewhere besides Bloom. Without having to drive 30 mins into town. As you can see gas prices are rising again not everyone can afford that....
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