Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 12, 1994 TAG: 9404120156
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MICHAEL STOWE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Council agreed, and the public hearing on the rezoning was continued until May 2, but not before the first citizen opposition to the project was heard.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to build its largest Virginia store in a 25-acre pasture it owns next to Valley View Mall. The company is seeking the rezoning of an additional 1.4 acres so a road can be built to I-581.
James Douthat, Wal-Mart's attorney, told council on Monday that the retail giant has run into some unexpected roadblocks in its efforts to acquire the surrounding land.
``I thought everyone was in the same ballpark,'' he said. "But for whatever reason, that hasn't happened.''
John Knibb, Wal-Mart's developer on the project, said the store has been negotiating with the adjacent property owners for nearly a year.
``Wal-Mart has delayed this project far more than we ever expected,'' he said.
If no agreement is reached by May 2, Knibb said, there's a good chance Wal-Mart will withdraw its rezoning application and proceed with plans to build the store without the additional property.
``Good,'' shouted Roanoke resident Annie Foster.
Foster and other residents of the Round Hill-Huff Lane area near Valley View Mall have started a petition drive against the rezoning.
They are upset because the new interchange and extension of Valley View Boulevard would open about 130 acres near them for development. So far, about 100 residents have signed the petitions.
Sarah Crawford, another of the petition organizers, said she wouldn't be opposed to Wal-Mart if the store withdrew its rezoning request.
Paula Willis, the only resident to address council Monday, wasn't as kind.
''The issue is not just the rezoning of Wal-Mart land, but of the way we do business in Roanoke,'' she said.
Willis told council that Wal-Mart's proposed supercenter would hurt existing businesses, increase the vacancy rate of downtown retail space and encourage the development of more strip shopping malls.
''You have to consider the impact of Wal-Mart on the community,'' she said.
Knibb said Wal-Mart is committed to building a store at Valley View, with or without the rezoning.
''Our engineers are working seven days a week on the back-up plan,'' he said.
That plan is nearly identical to the original proposal, except that it moves the store farther away from I-581 and doesn't require any commitment from the surrounding property owners. The right of way to the interstate, however, still would be clear for future development.
Wal-Mart also hasn't completed an agreement with the main partners of the mall to allow a needed extension of Valley View Boulevard and the dedication of Ring Road as a public right of way, Douthat said.
''I hope we can come back with a little better news next time,'' he said.
by CNB