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Developer files special-use permit request for Orange County Wal-Mart Date published: 12/10/2008
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
An Orange County official has asked a developer to use 3-D computer imagery to show the impact a proposed Wal-Mart will have on the scenery in the Wilderness Battlefield area. Community Development Director David Grover said he has asked JDC Ventures of Vienna for a "computerized view-shed analysis" to supplement its request for a special-use permit to build the Wal-Mart Supercenter. Grover said the application filed with his office Friday "appears to be largely complete." The Wal-Mart would cover 19.5 acres of a 51.5-acre commercially zoned tract a quarter-mile off State Route 3 just inside the border of Orange and Spotsylvania counties. The slightly revised site plan shows the store's indoor retail area would cover 133,481 square feet, with a 4,748-square-foot outdoor garden center. It would not offer auto repair or sell fuel. In addition to Wal-Mart, the developer's plan includes three out-parcels totaling 14.5 acres for retail development. The rest of the tract, adjacent to Wilderness Run, is in a 100-year flood plain and can't be developed. A special-use permit is required by the county's ordinance for retail stores of more than 60,000 square feet. Supervisors passed the big-box ordinance in June in anticipation of the Wal-Mart proposal. Although it is not required by the big-box ordinance, Grover said he has asked the developer to prepare a visual-impact analysis of the proposed development. Historical preservation groups say the Supercenter is a bad fit with the nearby Wilderness Civil War battlefield and have asked Wal-Mart to seek another site in the county. And some in the county have raised concerns about development's impact on the Route 3 area, separate from the battlefield issue. Grover said a visual-impact assessment "can superimpose the building on the site and create 3-D views from that site." "It allows you to show what it's going to look like from different points. I'm concerned about how it's going to look from Route 3 and approaching Orange County from the east," he said. While the Wal-Mart plan has remained essentially the same as the preliminary site plan submitted in the spring, some changes have been made.
to see the future of the monster they are creating. If Orange County residents wanted convenience right at their back door WHY DID THEY MOVE TO THE STICKS?
Kenny Dotson is waiting to build on that cleared land on purpose. He could build the next section right now but he isn't dumb, he is waiting for the economy so he doesn't get left holding the bag on the building. In this recession, yes we need a Wal-Mart out here so as not to spend so much extra in gas sitting thru traffic in Fredericksburg trying to shop. It keeps the money locally and it cuts out extra traffic in Fredericksburg on weekends.
"The Wal-Mart would cover 19.5 acres of a 51.5-acre commercially zoned tract a quarter-mile off State Route 3 just inside the border of Orange and Spotsylvania counties." I believe the key to this whole issue is "commercially zoned" BUILD ON WAL-MART tell the NPS, BOS, PEC, PETA and whatever other organization has issues with the new building that is has already been "commercially zoned". If you need someone to handle the excavating I'm sure someone local would be happy to assist.
are they even considering such a huge project in Orange when there are so many empty store fronts in Orange County and surrounding Counties with more to follow??? Several businesses have tried to build only to stop and leave cleared areas! Look at the strip mall further south on Route 20?? Do you really think we need another Wal Mart right now????? We are in a RECESSION people!!!!!
Can a developer really be a netural party in creating such a 3-D map?
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