The Frisco City Council approved a rezoning proposal 3-1 on Dec. 2 that allows Wal-Mart to build a Supercenter on the southeast corner of FM 423 and Stonebrook Parkway.
The property, which Wal-Mart already owns, consists of 28 acres between the Phillips Creek Ranch and Frisco Lakes residential communities. Wal-Mart plans to dedicate 18 acres to the store and gas pumps, while the remaining acreage will be used for passive open space and to retain a pond on the land.
The majority of residents who spoke at the council meeting opposed the size of the 190,000-square-foot store or having a big box store at the intersection altogether.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Kellie Gonzales said the area warrants a larger store.
"We just know that we can sustain a Supercenter at this location, and it's not just grocery and pharmacy that folks need. It's merchandise as well," she said. "Just from our analysis, we know we'll do well here."
Gonzales also said Wal-Mart needs the revenue from the larger store to get the return on investment from purchasing the land.
Wal-Mart responded to other multiple requested concessions from residents, including adding more landscape screening between the store and surrounding neighborhoods, according to city documents.
Frisco resident Sherrie Salas said the landscaping will not last as more stores are built, just as the landscaping at the Wal-Mart on Eldorado Parkway has gone.
"The landscaping that was there five years ago when I moved in has over time just disappeared," she said. "Now we have rocks. There's bags in the trees. I know there have been two bags in a tree for about two weeks."
Tony Ruggeri, Republic Property Group co-president and Phillips Creek Ranch developer, said he was at first concerned about selling homes next to a Wal-Mart without the proper landscape screening. However, he said the applicants have addressed a lot of those concerns.
Ruggeri said his company and Wal-Mart have also entered into easement agreements.
"Additionally and most importantly, we are unable to finish the development at Phillips Creek Ranch and finish the park just south of Stonebrook (Parkway) without easements from Wal-Mart," he said.
Councilman John Keating said the property has sat for years as agricultural land without any care. He said Wal-Mart is stepping in, offering to care for the land and meet the residents' concessions.
"I've kind of lost count after 30, but it's six pages worth of concessions," he said. "These are in addition to our existing (Planning and Zoning) ordinances and in addition to what Wal-Mart brings to the table."
Council members Jeff Cheney and Tim Nelson did not vote on the proposal. Cheney said it would be a conflict of interest for him to vote and Nelson left the meeting before the vote to catch a flight for a business trip in Mississippi.
Requested concessions for Wal-Mart
Some things Wal-Mart agreed to:
- No truck deliveries from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Include enhanced landscaping for additional screening
- Hire third-party security for the store
What Wal-Mart did not agree to
- Reducing the size of the store
- Restricting hours of operation
- Plant seasonal flowers
See a full list of the requested concessions here.
