Wal-Mart planning third Neighborhood Market in Houston County

A new Wal-Mart grocery store may be coming to Houston County.

The store would be the third Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market in the county. It is planned for a tract on the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and White Road, on the opposite side of Arrie Drive from Eagle Springs Elementary School.

David Kirk, on behalf of Wal-Mart Real Estate Trust, has requested that the tract be rezoned from single-family residential to general commercial. Darin Curtis, program coordinator for the city’s Community Development office, said the requester has stated that the rezoning is being sought to build a Neighborhood Market. No formal plans have been submitted, which is not required at this point, Curtis said.

A hearing is set before the Planning and Zoning Commission at 5:30 p.m. June 14 at City Hall.

At least one resident of the area is opposed.

“It would be literally in my side yard,” said Barry Wilkins, who lives on Georgian Walk.

He said he does not think that intersection is suited for any type of commercial operation due in part to the proximity of Eagle Springs Elementary and the associated congestion.

He also questioned whether the city has done enough to notify people of the rezoning request. He said he got a letter from the city, but most of his neighbors knew nothing about it.

Curtis said that although it is not required, the city sends courtesy letters to property owners who are adjacent to a tract that’s up for rezoning. He said the city advertised the hearing in the legal organ, and it has put at least two signs on the property.

Wilkins said the signs are too small and difficult to see.

In the past year, Wal-Mart has opened a Neighborhood Market store at the corner of Russell Parkway and Lake Joy Road, and another on North Houston Road and Green Street.

This story was originally published June 7, 2016 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Wal-Mart planning third Neighborhood Market in Houston County."