LAKE CITY — Lake City City Council has given its final approval to a property rezoning for the construction of a Walmart Supercenter on property where two major U.S. highways meet.
During a special meeting on Tuesday, council approved the final reading of an ordinance to rezone the land for the establishment of a planned unit development district shopping center just south of the U.S. 378 overpass at U.S. 52.
Lake City Administrator Marion Lowder gave the News & Post a look at the site plans for a Walmart Supercenter to be built on the property on Lake City’s north side. The 147,785-square-foot store will have 684 parking spaces and feature a mini garden center, general merchandise section and grocery section, according to the site plans.
Council member Billy Brown, who is an assistant manager of the Lake City Walmart, excused himself from voting on the ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting.
On Jan. 12, council approved the first reading of the rezoning ordinance.
Glen Wilkins, senior manager of public affairs and government relations for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said during a Wednesday phone interview that the company has an interest for a new store in Lake City.
Wilkins said he doesn’t know when construction will start on the new store, but the company will seek bids in 2011.
The new Walmart Supercenter will be a little smaller than others the company has built, Wilkins said. The company wants the store to fit accordingly with the community, he said.
In August, Chris Neely, Carolinas spokesman for Wal-Mart Stores Inc., said the company had no plans or intentions at that time for a WalMart Supercenter to be built in Lake City.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Lake City Attorney James Epps introduced Walmart engineer Matt Cox and Walmart attorney Amanda Mann. The two attended the Jan. 12 meeting, as well.
Council members on Tuesday also approved a resolution for the construction of sidewalks along Henry Street, where the National Bean Market Museum is located.
Council member Gloria Tisdale said during the meeting that she has a problem with sidewalks being built downtown when sidewalks are needed for students traveling on Morris Street as they go to and from school.
Lake City Mayor Lovith Anderson Jr. said that when a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the Morris Street area, the city applied for a grant to get sidewalks in that location.
Once the Henry Street project is set, the city will look at the drainage problem on Carlisle Street, said Lowder, the city administrator.
During the Jan. 12 council meeting, members of J. Paul Truluck Middle School’s student council gave a PowerPoint presentation on the Carlisle Street flooding problem and how they say the situation affects students, faculty and staff at the school.
In other business at Tuesday’s meeting, council members also approved final reading of an ordinance amending certain sections of the comprehensive zoning ordinance.
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