The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-2 Nov. 11 to rezone a plot of land next to the developing Phillips Creek Ranch community for Planned Development-Retail, which would allow Wal-Mart to build a Supercenter on the property. The rezoning proposal still needs to go before the Frisco City Council for final approval. The vote came after a heated debate among residents and commissioners over whether a big box retail store would be appropriate for the surrounding communities at the intersection of FM 423 and Stonebrook Parkway. Frisco resident Sean Heatley, who represented Phillips Creek Ranch residents, said most residents who responded to a survey opposed big box retail in their neighborhood. "Here's the two primary concerns: the big box store is too large for this particular corner and puts it in close proximity to the neighbors," Heatley said. One reason to have the 190,000-square-foot store, rather than a smaller Neighborhood Market, at the intersection is to have a return on investment in the land Wal-Mart already purchased, Wal-Mart representative Dan Millner said. Of the nearly 28 acres purchased, Wal-Mart plans to have about 18 acres dedicated to the store and gas pumps. The nearly 10 remaining acres will be used for passive open space and to retain a pond on the property. The proposal suggests placing a double row of trees to separate the residential homes from the store's property. Frisco resident Anthony Winson said even with that barrier, the store would still detract from the beauty of the surrounding communities. "Putting a fence around it with a few trees is like putting lipstick on the pig," he said. Another reason to have a Supercenter is to meet the demand of Frisco's growing population, Millner said. "You guys are obviously familiar with all the growth in Frisco and the future growth coming in Frisco," he said. "For the customer experience to be better, they have to build more stores in order to have shorter lines, to have all the goods and services people want and expect." More than a dozen residents spoke in opposition of the proposed rezoning for Wal-Mart, citing issues such as increased traffic, increased crime rates and an oversaturation of shopping options in the area. Frisco Police Chief John Bruce said, however, that crime rates near an existing Wal-Mart in Frisco were not dissimilar to other retail in the city. "What these numbers tell me is unless you leave it an empty field, crime statistics will increase," he said. A handful of residents did support the proposal. Frisco resident Ramona Thompson said she would like the convenience of a Wal-Mart near her home, and the traffic on FM 423 and Stonebrook Parkway would come even without a Wal-Mart at the intersection. "I know a lot of people moved out here eight years ago when it was really quiet and there wasn't anything happening, but that is not the case anymore," she said. "Stopping Wal-Mart is not going to stop the development. It's already coming. It's already here." Some P&Z commissioners also had concerns for the proposed rezoning. Commissioner Kevin Hodes said the proposal looks like more of the same type of big box retail seen in other cities. "The people in Arkansas running a billion dollar company should have some sort of unique plans in the most unique city that we live in," he said. When commissioners Will Russell and Kristie Edwards voted for the rezoning and commissioners Robert Roberti and Kevin Hodes voted against rezoning, P&Z Chairperson Bill Woodard broke the tie by voting for the proposal. "This process and this decision for me isn't about whether it's a Wal-Mart," Woodard said. "It's about whether it's a big box. Wal-Mart needs to make the business decision as to how many locations they think they need. So, I'm trying to stay focused on just that."