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Rezoning Sought For Wal-Mart
Supercenter TEMPLE TERRACE The rural landscape of Harney Road could be transformed by the building of a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter. An undeveloped 34.9-acre parcel between Temple Terrace Highway and Harney Road, west of Davis Road, is the subject of a rezoning application filed with Hillsborough County Planning and Growth Management. A hearing will be held in October to determine whether the land should be converted for commercial use. The proposed 200,000-square-foot store could employ 350 people and be open by 2007, said Wal-Mart spokesman Eric Brewer. The rezoning application also calls for a gas station and three out parcels that could be home to fast-food and sit-down restaurants and a bank. Wal-Mart officials will rely on residents when deciding what types of services to offer, such as a Tire Lube Express, and the kinds of groceries and home items to stock -- decisions often based on the ethnic makeup of the community, Brewer said. "We will need to reach out to the local community groups to get feedback," he said. "We're also going to be talking to and working closely with Temple Terrace city leaders." The land is outside the Temple Terrace city limits, but the city would provide water and sewer services and was asked to weigh in on the proposal, said City Manager Kim Leinbach. The area is among those being considered for annexation, although an attempt in 2001 was rejected by voters. Questions remain about how the development would influence traffic patterns and whether a big-box store would divert dollars from businesses intending to join the city's redevelopment efforts. A traffic study by Kimley-Horn and Associates for Wal-Mart Stores in Bentonville, Ark., showed traffic is light in the afternoon when compared with other parts of Hillsborough County. However, the study proposed installing traffic signals at Temple Terrace Highway and the store entrance and creating multiple turn lanes leading from Harney Road and Temple Terrace Highway. Leinbach said he is awaiting a report from the city's Development Review Committee that is expected Wednesday regarding traffic and other issues. Redevelopment Director Ralph Bosek said traffic is the biggest concern. "We don't know what to expect traffic-wise," Leinbach said. "It's something we certainly have to look at. Harney is two lanes there." Bosek said that, historically, once a Wal-Mart Supercenter is built, other businesses follow. "I certainly think it's important for our citizens to know they can have input," he said. "It will change the landscape out there." Even though the Wal-Mart Supercenter would be just 2 1/2 miles from the city's downtown redevelopment district, Bosek and Leinbach said it's unlikely one would have a negative effect on the other. Brewer agreed and said the company would be open to considering the architectural theme set out by the city for its redevelopment district. "One example that sticks out in my mind is the store we are building in Tarpon Springs," Brewer said. "It will be Greek-based because that's what the community wanted." With redevelopment plans still fluid, Bosek said, it's difficult to say how the project will shape up. Regardless, he said the concepts of the two projects are different enough for both to be successful. "Ours is a walkable, live-work-play area," Bosek said. "I think there are two different standards at work here and each offers its own amenities." While Wal-Mart prides itself on being a one-stop shop, Brewer said that gone are the days when the company expected to draw customers from a regional area. The trend today is to build in existing communities and tailor the store to meet residents' needs. "The last thing we want is our customers spending more time in their cars," he said. "Studies show people tend to only want to drive five to 10 minutes to buy their groceries. That's the idea we're working under." The Wal-Mart Supercenter closest to the Temple Terrace site is more than seven miles away, at 3801 N. Tampa St. When asked, few people in the areas around Harney Road said they knew about the proposed store. Those who did didn't seem bothered by the idea. The store's closest potential neighbor is M&B Products, a dairy farm across the street on Harney Road. Co-owner Dale McClellan said he doesn't have an opinion about the store's development. The owners of other nearby businesses echoed that sentiment, as did the Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce. Once the rezoning process is completed, Wal-Mart will move forward with plans to purchase the land from the owners, representatives of the Doris C. Harvey Marital Trust, Brewer said. A sale price wasn't disclosed. IF YOU GO WHEN: 6 p.m. Oct. 17 WHERE: Hillsborough County commissioners' boardroom, second floor, Fred B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. "We will need to reach out to the local community groups to get feedback." ERIC BREWER Wal-Mart spokesman
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