MONROE - The Monroe Plan Commission Wednesday night approved three changes to the revised Wal-Mart planned unit development (PUD) application.
The changes include material for the store's outside shell, outside display areas and the color of Wal-Mart monuments and signs.
The revised Wal-Mart PUD had already been through the Plan Commission, and even went to the City Council, which set the public hearing on the revised PUD for Feb. 5.
But City Attorney Rex Ewald said several changes had come up which he felt were big enough to require the commission's consideration.
One change is the use of "precast" panels for the store's main shell, instead of block.
According to Henry Gempeler, the attorney representing Wal-Mart, the precast panels will allow the building to be enclosed prior to the winter season, cutting two months off construction time.
Construction is scheduled to begin in August. The panels will allow an opening date of early summer of 2009, instead of late summer or early fall.
Gempeler said the pre-fabricated panels are better and stronger than block because they are made in a controlled manufacturing environment.
OUTSIDE DISPLAY AREAS
Ewald said a notation in the plans stated that entire outside of the store was designed for outdoor displays.
Gempeler said the front of a fenced area, a propane area, a left vestibule and right vestibule and areas for the seasonal sale of the Boy Scouts' Christmas trees and of fireworks would be used.
All displays are required by city ordinance to be set back at least 10 feet from traffic.
SIGN CHANGES
Wal-Mart is changing all its store signs to a uniform blue with white lettering.
The revised PUD will go to the City Council on Feb. 5 for a public hearing, and before the council for its approval.
The Plan Commission also:
• Approved a conditional use permit for the construction of an 60-foot by 80-foot accessory/storage building in the Monroe Business and Industry Park for R. Mueller Service & Equipment.
• Approved and recommended the council vacate about 900 feet of old Fourth Avenue West, from the Cheese Country Trail to West 17th Street.
The changes include material for the store's outside shell, outside display areas and the color of Wal-Mart monuments and signs.
The revised Wal-Mart PUD had already been through the Plan Commission, and even went to the City Council, which set the public hearing on the revised PUD for Feb. 5.
But City Attorney Rex Ewald said several changes had come up which he felt were big enough to require the commission's consideration.
One change is the use of "precast" panels for the store's main shell, instead of block.
According to Henry Gempeler, the attorney representing Wal-Mart, the precast panels will allow the building to be enclosed prior to the winter season, cutting two months off construction time.
Construction is scheduled to begin in August. The panels will allow an opening date of early summer of 2009, instead of late summer or early fall.
Gempeler said the pre-fabricated panels are better and stronger than block because they are made in a controlled manufacturing environment.
OUTSIDE DISPLAY AREAS
Ewald said a notation in the plans stated that entire outside of the store was designed for outdoor displays.
Gempeler said the front of a fenced area, a propane area, a left vestibule and right vestibule and areas for the seasonal sale of the Boy Scouts' Christmas trees and of fireworks would be used.
All displays are required by city ordinance to be set back at least 10 feet from traffic.
SIGN CHANGES
Wal-Mart is changing all its store signs to a uniform blue with white lettering.
The revised PUD will go to the City Council on Feb. 5 for a public hearing, and before the council for its approval.
The Plan Commission also:
• Approved a conditional use permit for the construction of an 60-foot by 80-foot accessory/storage building in the Monroe Business and Industry Park for R. Mueller Service & Equipment.
• Approved and recommended the council vacate about 900 feet of old Fourth Avenue West, from the Cheese Country Trail to West 17th Street.