Board to Review Controversial Rogers Store

Planners To Get Glimpse Of Market [NW Arkansas Morning News]

It shouldn’t be news in Northwest Arkansas that a new Wal-Mart store is coming to town—but it is.

The Rogers Planning Commission on Tuesday is scheduled to review large-scale development plans for Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market No. 5837—or as it has more informally become known, the Neighborhood Market at Pinnacle Hills.

The more than 36,000-square-foot store would be a change of pace from older Neighborhood Markets.

This market would be a prototype store, featuring warmer colors and updated interior features, according to a news release from Laurie Smalling of the Wal-Mart Office of Public Affairs and Government Relations.

The store also would feature a wide selection of healthful food choices, such as an increased selection of organic items and produce, the release states.

The Neighborhood Market would be on 5.4 acres of a 63-acre development known as The District at Pinnacle Hills, owned by Bill Schwyhart and Robert Thornton.

The development sits at the intersection of the Pauline Whitaker and Pinnacle Hills parkways. The site is recommended for the Walton Arts Center by Mayor Steve Womack, should the center’s board of directors decide to move the center from Fayetteville.

The Planning Commission also is set to consider large-scale plans from Garcia Commercial for an 8,000-square-foot building at 1604 Acorn Drive.

Miguel Garcia, the developer, said the building would be rented for meetings, parties and receptions.

There would be a kitchen area with a refrigerator and microwave, but with no oven or stove.

The property is in a highway commercial zone.

There also will be a public hearing for a conditional-use permit for a day-care center at 2712 W. Olive St., which is in a residential office zone.

The city has received no phone calls objecting to the day-care center, said Candy Anderson, an assistant planner.

Posted by Tony Calero on Tuesday, June 03, 2008