Panel to review Carson Wal-Mart plans

Wal-Mart will present its plans to build a 200,000-square-foot supercenter in the heart of Carson City to the Planning Commission on Thursday.

The mega-retailer plans to offer one-stop shopping at the corner of Hot Springs Road and East College Parkway by blocking off a section of roadway to accommodate shopping traffic.

Planning commissioners are expected to decide whether to grant a special permit to Wal-Mart to build the larger-than-allowed building and block off the section of Hot Springs Road between Roop and College Parkway.

If plans are approved on time, Wal-Mart may break ground on the 26-acre site this summer. Store officials unveiled plans at a public workshop last week for the retail store that would offer 36 general-merchandise departments and a full-service grocery.

Neighbors close to the site have already expressed concerns about traffic, air pollution and noise.

The building is planned to be nearly twice the size of the former Carson store, now sitting vacant on South Carson Street.

"I think the residents are likely going to raise some additional issues that I would anticipate will be discussed at the Planning Commission meeting," said principal planner Lee Plemel.

City planners tried to address concerns by attaching conditions to the special-use permit that include restrictions on lighting, hours of operation and unloading, Plemel said.

Wal-Mart will include plans for pedestrian and bike path and landscaping throughout the property.

The plan includes planting a row of trees and building a 10-foot wall in the back of the property to reduce noise and light for neighbors.

Some recommended conditions include restricting the operations of the store, especially at the rear loading area, to address public concerns, Plemel said. The building will sit 60 to100 feet away from residential property lines at its closest.

Plans for the supercenter include a gas station along Table Rock Drive, a garden center and automotive shop.

The city permit restricts loading delivery and receiving hours to between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. every day and trucks will be required to turn off engines. The city is also asking the tire and lube express depot to close between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. daily. Wal-Mart retail stores are usually open 24 hours.

Contact Jill Lufrano at jlufrano@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.