Commission approves Walmart grocery‑pickup expansion after requiring accelerated greenbelt cleanup and facade improvements

The Ormond Beach City Commission voted unanimously on the first reading of an amended development order to allow a roughly 5,101‑square‑foot addition at the Walmart at 1521 West Granada Boulevard for online grocery pickup. The approval was conditioned on site‑improvement commitments and an accelerated timeline to address neighborhood concerns about overgrowth, trash and safety in the greenbelt buffer along the property.

Planning Director Steven Spreaker recapped the neighborhood and planning‑board review. He said the city and Walmart had worked together to address issues raised at a March planning meeting and at a neighborhood meeting, including cleaning Brazilian pepper growth in the buffer, restoring sidewalks and repairing a masonry wall. Spreaker said Walmart agreed to replace a Department of Transportation chain‑link fence with a green vinyl‑coated chain‑link fence at the company's expense and to perform architectural facade updates suggested by the city.

Commissioners discussed timelines for completing remaining improvements. After deliberation, the commission amended the motion on the floor to require that the western portion of the greenbelt buffer (Williamson Boulevard to I‑95) be fully improved within three months of plan approval and that the eastern portion (Williamson to Bermuda Estates Drive) be improved within six months. The commission also added a condition that staff (police, planning and landscape) perform annual site visits to monitor progress.

Rebecca Wilson, an attorney speaking for Walmart, told the commission the company had wanted to clean the buffer for years but was constrained by the prior development order; she said Walmart had voluntarily removed Brazilian pepper and that the store manager indicated the western buffer work was expected to be finished by the end of the month. Walmart agreed to the masonry wall pressure‑washing and painting and to additional plantings in front of the wall.

Commissioner comments focused on the appearance of the greenbelt as a gateway to the city, the need to reduce homelessness and camping in the buffer area, and whether planned plantings should meet the city's new native‑plant landscape standards. Commissioners asked staff to confirm whether the landscaping plan complies with the city's new ordinances; staff agreed to provide an analysis at second reading.

Why this matters: The decision allows a business expansion that the applicant said responds to growing demand for online grocery pickup, while tying approval to community expectations for buffer cleanup, safety and building appearance at a prominent corridor location.

What happens next: Staff will finalize the amended development order and return the ordinance for second reading. Walmart and staff will finalize landscape plans for city review; the commission set timelines for buffer improvements and required staff monitoring.