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City staff: Grading permit issued for long‑planned Walmart site; construction could begin within days
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Summary
City staff said grading plans for the Bundy Canyon Walmart Superstore — a project entitled in 2015 — have been approved and a grading permit issued, with a pre‑construction meeting set and on‑site work likely to begin within days. Council members and staff cautioned timelines remain subject to utility relocations and permitting.
City staff told the Wildomar City Council that grading for the long‑planned Walmart Superstore at Bundy Canyon and Monte Vista is approved and imminent, and that the developer has assembled a construction team.
"Grading is approved and you may start seeing construction occurring here shortly within the next few days even," said Robert Flores, community development director, who briefed the council on the project. Flores said plan check approval and several required permits are in place; private water and sewer permits and pallet/valet storage approvals were noted as completed.
Flores and Public Works Director Jason Fragg both emphasized the next step is a pre‑construction meeting with the developer and their contractor; Fragg said a grading permit was issued and the city has a pre‑grading meeting scheduled for the following day. "We are anticipating to see grading activities begin in the next week or so," Fragg said.
Council members pressed staff on the project schedule and risks. Flores said the initial construction phase is fully funded by Walmart and that, based on current permit timing and utility coordination, the general contractor estimated roughly an 18‑month build from major utility work through opening. "It would appear they're ready to construct," Flores said, while adding that the city wants to "see the shovels in the ground" before guaranteeing exact dates.
Mayor Marquez and others noted the project was originally entitled in 2015 and had stalled; once grading commences the entitlement is considered vested, which allows the project to move forward under its approved permits. Council members asked staff to keep the council and community updated if the timeline or traffic impacts change.
What happens next: staff will meet with the developer and report back to council on the actual start of grading, planned detours and any needed traffic control. No formal action beyond informational updates and routine permit approvals was required at the meeting.
