Wal-Mart's Austin "Super Center" Plan Approaches Crucial Milestone

Strategic Insights -

Austonian residents continue to air concerns about potential traffic and project size as the Austin Planning Commission voted 5-2 to approve the conditional-use permit for a 207,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Super Center in northwest Austin. The decision came after a five-hour, contested discussion on Tuesday night, with commissioners Lynn Spainhower and Sue Grove voting against the request due to concerns over the project's size.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Austin Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit for a 207,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Super Center in northwest Austin, pending approval from the Austin City Council.
  • The proposed project includes a 27-acre site along the 900 and 1200 blocks of 18th Avenue Northwest, which would be the location of the retail store.
  • The commission approved the permit along with seven conditions recommended by city staff, as well as additional conditions that no recreational vehicles be allowed to park overnight at the site and that business hours be at the discretion of Wal-Mart.
  • Approval is also needed on the preliminary plat for the 29-acre site, and the permit approval is subject to an appeal period for anyone who might want to challenge the decision.
  • Residents of the adjacent Oaks Condominium expressed concerns about potential traffic problems and the size of the project, with a Wal-Mart representative stating that the company had addressed the concerns in three previous meetings with residents.
  • Commissioner Lynn Spainhower and Sue Grove voted against the request due to concerns over the project's size.

Statistics:

  • The proposed Wal-Mart Super Center is 207,000 square feet in size.
  • The project site encompasses 27 acres.
  • The Austin Planning Commission voted 5-2 in favor of the conditional-use permit.
  • The permit is subject to an appeal period and approval from the Austin City Council.
  • Seven conditions were recommended by city staff but approved by the commission.

Sources:

  • Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn., Copyright (c) 2006
  • Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News