Here's what Sue Stock reported this weekend in her column. Maybe there is still a chance for those opposed to this to be heard. Here's an update on the Wal-Mart near Interstate 40 and N.C. 42 in Johnston County. County commissioners approved the special-use permit Monday. Wal-Mart still needs to submit a site plan and have it approved. After that, the store will take as long as a year to build, which means the opening likely will be in 2009.
I think Walmart is virtually a done deal however, I think it is wise to voice any opposition to the commissioners too!
Laughing all the way to the bank no doubt. :x Concerned citizens have got to speak up and let them know they can no longer get away with all this willy-nilly "planning."
Me personally, i have no problem with the Walmart coming but if folks really feel opposed to it then they need to quit whining on a board and actually organize themselves and make a showing for their voice to be heard - that is what our neighborhood did recently and it worked.
From GCCC The Walmart is set to open in the summer of 2009 and will have two outbuildings for retail space and two 1 acre of so outparcels of land that may become restaurants on NC Hwy 42. The Walmart will sit way back from the road much like the one in Clayton and will face Hwy 42. Paramount Development will have to do numerous road improvements before the Walmart can open. The North Carolina Department of Transportation signed off on the road plan before the commissioners approved the new Walmart. Road improvements include adding a second left turn lane on the eastbound 40 exit ramp at Hwy 42. This will create a total of two lefts and two rights. Paramount will have to extend the second lane going east over the I40 bridge to connect with the two eastbound lanes in front of Cracker Barrel. Currently the right hand lane is an exit only onto I40 West. When complete the right hand lane will offer the option of exiting or going straight. Paramount will have to widen Hwy 42 to six lanes in front of the Walmart which will sit just east of Bratton Drive behind the Lowes. There will be two thru lanes going east along with a 150 foot right turn lane. There will be a double left turn lanes for a minimum of 200 feet and two through lanes coming West on Hwy 42 from Cornwalis. A new stoplight will be added at the main entrance off of Hwy 42 and the main entrance must have two lanes going in and three coming out including two that turn left onto Hwy 42 going west back toward I40. Paramount must also put in a stem for the future road that will be going behind the Walmart for future development. There will be three entrances to the Walmart. Cleveland Crossing drive, which runs between Lowes and Cracker Barrel, will be extended, Bratton Drive , current back entrance to Lowes, will be extended and the main entrance on Hwy 42. My best guess based on aerial photographs says the road improvements will either start or end depending on the directions you are traveling on Hwy 42 at the mobile home and Bojangles/Four Oaks bank billboard about 1000 feet before/after the little bridge at the bottom of the hill on Hwy 42. Paramount does not have to expand the bridge. Below is a link to the Commissioners package that has maps and a letter from the Department of Transportation. The Walmart part starts around page 36. http://www.johnstonnc.com/files/board/October1_RezoningAgenda.pdf
