Avon planning commission approves Walmart Market with conditions after split vote

The Avon Advisory Planning Commission on March 23 approved DPR 25-18, a development plan for a roughly 50,000-square-foot Walmart Market on a 9.73-acre parcel at the southeast corner of Avon Avenue and Governors Row, in a 4-2 vote that imposed multiple conditions before a certificate of occupancy may be issued.

Staff presented the application and recommended approval contingent on several public-improvement and design conditions. Key requirements in the staff report include construction of a roundabout at Avon Avenue and Governors Row with two northbound approach lanes (one dedicated to right turns); widening Governors Row to a four-lane cross-section from Avon Avenue to the site's western driveway access and reconstructing the roadway to the eastern driveway access to accommodate truck turning movements (or permanently closing the eastern driveway and restoring the curb line); installation of four speed humps on Governors Row and one on Turner Trace Place South; construction of a dedicated right-turn lane with acceleration/deceleration tapers for westbound County Road 150 South at the existing driveway; submission of a revised photometric plan to meet average parking-lot lighting standards; and a landscape bond per Section 6.1(D)(3) of the Unified Development Ordinance before a full certificate of occupancy. Staff also noted the development must comply with Town Code and obtain approvals and preconstruction sign-offs from Crossroad Engineers and Public Works.

The commission opened a public hearing. Several nearby residents testified in opposition, and one speaker identified as supporting the project while expressing concerns. The minutes record the names and addresses of those who spoke: Danny Brock of 311 Production Drive said he both supported and had concerns; Chris Thornberry of 1303 Brighton Place, Laurie Rolston and Raleigh Rolston of 1311 S. Avon Avenue, Andrew Larkin of 7265 Wilshire Way, and Frank Didelot of 7898 Dutch Court all remonstrated against the petition. The meeting minutes do not include verbatim quotations of those comments; they summarize positions as recorded by staff.

The petitioner, identified as Walmart Real Estate Business Trust represented by Misha Rabinowitch, provided a rebuttal and submitted revised plans addressing several staff conditions, according to the minutes. Steve Moore, the Town of Avon Department of Public Works Director, answered commissioner questions about the proposed roundabout and related traffic impacts; the minutes record that Moore responded but do not transcribe the exchange.

Commission action unfolded over two motions. Commissioner Dave Kauffman moved to approve DPR 25-18 subject to staff conditions plus an additional condition requiring a revised traffic study analyzing the proposed roundabout on Governors Row; Commissioner Paul Guckenberger seconded. That first motion failed on a 3-3 vote, as recorded in the minutes. Commissioners then repeated the motion with Paul Guckenberger as mover and Dave Kauffman as seconder; that second motion passed 4-2. The minutes record the tallies but do not list individual commissioner votes.

The approval requires the petitioner to submit revised construction and photometric plans for administrator and Public Works Director approval, construct the approved street and intersection improvements to the Town's standards, provide the landscape bond before issuance of a full certificate of occupancy, and comply with Unified Development Ordinance fencing standards unless a variance is granted. The minutes also state that construction-related approvals and comments from Crossroad Engineers, Public Works and the Fire Department must be satisfied at a preconstruction meeting.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: the petitioner must submit the revised plans and satisfy the listed conditions prior to permit issuance and certificate of occupancy. The commission did not list a final building permit issuance date in the minutes.

(Reporting note: the meeting minutes summarize public comment and Q&A but do not include verbatim quotes for commenters, the petitioner rebuttal, or the exchange with the public works director; the minutes record vote tallies but do not attribute individual yes/no votes.)