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Orange Economic Development Authority backs Wal-Mart proposal, but planning officials still waiting on needed plans Date published: 3/19/2009
BY ROBIN KNEPPER
Local support is building for a Wal-Mart Supercenter in the Wilderness area, but the company is lagging behind expectations from Orange County's Planning Department. The county Economic Development Authority is the latest group to endorse the store. On Tuesday night, it unanimously passed a resolution that says Wal-Mart would provide "needed tax revenues for the county" and "convenient shopping opportunities" for residents who now must leave the county to buy certain goods. Both the town and county have representatives on the authority. Last month, the Orange County Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution supporting the retail giant's plans. The resolution notes that the "location is already commercially zoned" in a designated growth area, is "substantially removed" from the Wilderness battlefield by many other businesses and that a Supercenter would create jobs and bring in sales taxes now going to surrounding counties. "It's no surprise that our board would support Wal-Mart," said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Bannar. "There are 300 jobs and half-a-million dollars in tax revenue at stake." But certain plans for the store have not been submitted to the county as required. These are essential to complete the special-use permit application and schedule presentations and public hearings before the county's Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. "I don't want there to be a perception that we're holding this up," said Director of Community Development David Grover. "We expected the final responses from Wal-Mart weeks ago. "I think they're trying to make it all perfect before they submit it, but I don't think that's ever possible," he added. What's missing at this point are: plans for a million-gallon water tank needed to meet fire-flow requirements; design guidelines for the parcels of land adjoining the Supercenter; a buffering plan; and a viewshed analysis. The viewshed analysis is "very critical" Grover said, "because it's a big issue." Opponents of the Wal-Mart proposal say that the store will be a blight on the landscape near the Wilderness battlefield. The store is planned for a 19-acre site a quarter-mile from the intersection of State Routes 3 and 20. It would be part of a 50-acre parcel slated for other retail development. Other commercial establishments--Sheetz, McDonald's, 7-Eleven, Wachovia bank, a used-car lot and two strip malls--already exist in the area surrounding the Civil War battlefield. What is not known is if the store will be visible from Route 3 in Spotsylvania County as motorists approach Orange County from the east. The viewshed analysis is expected to answer that question. Wal-Mart spokesman Keith Morris could not be reached for comment. Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
I forgot to mention this in another post. Does anyone know
where Walmart surveyed people? I bet it was not from the
22508 zip code. They can say the surveyed people in
Orange county but pick a zip code on the other end of the
county. I haven't talked to one person in 22508 who
supports this proposal. Now go and ask someone in
Gordonsville. I bet they could care less since they all shop
in Albermarle country.
I dont understand why people would back this proposal.
Orange is one of the most backwards counties in the area.
Tell me how this would help the community? I bet only 4
people out of the entire Walmart work force for each store
will make over 50K. Why dont we get some good Tech or
Green companies down here that promote good education
and great jobs. WalMart. Are you kidding me?
Walmart makes its money buying cheap crap from China and the money you leave in Walmart mainly goes straight back to China. Good for China. Bad for America. And all you get is cheap chinese made crap.
Retail giant Wal-Mart will hand out its largest annual award -- $2 billion -- which includes bonuses to every part-time and full-time hourly employee.
The $2 billion includes 401k contributions, about $1 billion in profit-sharing, millions of dollars in merchandise discounts and $933 million in bonuses. The average cash bonus for employees will be $667.
Lake of the Woods residents like to say they are Orange County. So put the Walmart there. Just think of the traffic it would keep off of Rte 3.
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