By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
It’s the last item on the Sherwood City Council agenda for its monthly meeting Monday night at city hall, but it’s probably the most important to Sherwood residents.
The council, after looking at its ambulance service, making board and commission appointments and condemning a home as a public nuisance, will consider rezoning 47 acres of land off Highway 107 and Maryland Avenue so Wal-Mart can build a supercenter store.
More than 100 residents packed city hall earlier this month when the planning commission considered the issue. Residents were concerned about traffic, falling property values and noise level.
The commission, after listening to residents, approved Wal-Mart’s request to rezone the acreage from single-family residence to commercial. Even though residents will have a chance to voice their concerns again at the council meeting, it is unlikely that the council will vote against the commission’s recommendation.
Wal-Mart has said it plans to build a 200,000-square-foot store on the site, which will open in 2008. The new store will be close to Wal-Mart’s Neighborhood Market grocery store, but Wal-Mart says it has no current plans to close the grocery store.
Wal-Mart had a store in Sherwood, adjacent Highway 67/ 167, but pulled out in 2004, due in part to higher taxes imposed by the city.
Also on the council agenda:
- The aldermen will debate a resolution authorizing the mayor to contract for ambulance service.
- The council will vote to condemn Lot 367 of the Sunwood Village Mobile Home Park on Cherrie Avenue as a public nuisance.
- Aldermen will approve the appointment of a number of residents to various boards and commissions.
- The council will also review a petition for formation of Austin Gardens Municipal Multipurpose Property Owners’ Improvement District.