Commission approves Wal-Mart rezoning request

The Springfield Planning and Zoning Commission yesterday approved a rezoning request that helps ease the way for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to build a Neighborhood Market at Grand Street and Campbell Avenue.

The change, which goes to City Council during its Feb. 11 meeting, would rezone about 6 acres at 444 W. Grand St. and 427, 433, 441, 501, 505, 509 and 515 W. Normal St. to a general retail district with a conditional overlay district from residential high density and residential single family, according to the Jan. 24 P&Z agenda.

P&Z rejected Wal-Mart's proposal in December, taking issue with the megaretailer's plans for the store to have access to Normal Street. The issue was scheduled to go before council Jan 14, but Wal-Mart officials chose instead to bring it back to P&Z, according to city spokeswoman Cora Scott.

Last night, the commission approved the request by a 5-2 vote.

The approved plan includes an amendment that would add a raised concrete island in the center of Normal Street, west of the proposed Neighborhood Market entrance onto the street. A mountable curb on the east and west sides of the island would allow emergency vehicles to traverse it; and three pipe bollards - at least one with a locked hinge - would be placed on the west side of the island to prevent nonemergency vehicles from driving over the island, according to a news release.

Wal-Mart officials last year reached an agreement to purchase land from Life360 Church near the intersection, pending completion of the rezoning request.

Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart opened its fourth Springfield Neighborhood Market Nov. 17 at West Mount Vernon Street and North West Bypass. It also operates three other locations of the the smaller, grocery-focused versions of the Supercenter model at 545 W. El Camino Alto Drive, 3150 W. Republic Road and 1320 S. Glenstone Ave.