THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 9, 1995 TAG: 9503090428
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
The Planning Commission Wednesday unanimously approved plans for a new Super Kmart and strip mall for the south side of Holland Road, between Windsor Oaks Boulevard and Governors Way.
The superstore, which will cover more than 4 acres, is slated to open in the spring of 1996. The Chimney Hill Kmart, about a mile down Holland Road, will be closed and its employees transferred to the new store, Kmart developer Richard W. Wilkinson said Wednesday.
The Chimney Hill Community Association, which had written a letter to the planning department expressing concern about the shopping center, withdrew its formal opposition Wednesday after speaking to the developers.
One resident of neighborhood, Robert Williams, said he is still upset about the development, which he feels will bring crime into his area.
The 40-acre site is part of a former farm, known as the Mast Farm. R.J. Nutter, attorney for the landowners, CH&B Associates, said his clients do not have specific plans for the rest of the property.
The owners have agreed to extend Windsor Oaks Boulevard across their mile-long property from Holland Road to Independence Boulevard at their own expense. The road, which will be built before the Kmart opens, will provide another cut-through route for motorists at no cost to the city, Nutter said.
The owners also plan to use as much land as possible for commercial development, rather than the 1,100 residential units allowed under current zoning, Nutter said. Planning commissioners praised the landowners for that commitment, saying it fits with the City Council's plans to try to increase the city's employment and tax base while limiting residential development.
The rezoning must still be approved by the council.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION by CNB