Commission recommends approval of site plan for 3716 Cheeksparger Road (Case 26-2)

The Bedford Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend City Council approve Site Plan Review Case 26-2 for Lot 5 of the Walmart addition, a 1.212-acre parcel commonly known as 3716 Cheeksparger Road.

Staff told the commission the proposed building is a little over 7,900 square feet, provides parking that meets requirements, and includes two access points—one of which will line up with a planned traffic signal at the Cheeksparger Road intersection. "Site plan meets all the requirements of the zoning ordinance and the Master Highway corridor overlay," staff said, and recommended approval of the site plan as presented.

During questions, commissioners raised traffic and grade concerns. Staff explained the signalization is a developer/city partnership and said work remains on median and left-turn provisions. A commissioner asked whether trees on an adjacent, heavily wooded lot would be protected; staff said the lot is not within the applicant's parcel and therefore protections could not be enforced against impacts on trees off the applicant's property.

Cameron, the civil engineer for the applicant from Claymore Engineering, said the adjacent lot is set aside as a "do not develop" parcel and that the team completed the required tree survey. "There is a lot of brush out there... any significant trees above 6 inches at breast height DBH there would have been picked up," Cameron said, adding the developer does not intend to touch areas outside the work area and will attempt to avoid impacts where possible.

Commissioner J. R. Smith moved to approve Case 26-2 and the commission voted in favor to forward the recommendation to City Council. No detailed roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript; the motion passed by voice vote.

The plan will next go to City Council for final action.