Proposed Walmart and Wilderness Crossing Commercial Developments
Two proposed commercial developments across the street from Wilderness Battlefield jeopardize Orange County's rural landscape. The Walmart Supercenter and Wilderness Crossing retail development would sprawl out over 1,000 acres. Urge the Orange County Government to oppose this development and help protect Orange County's rural historic character.
- See Map of Proposed Development
- See Map of Resources Impacted
- See NBC 29 News Story
- Email the Board of Supervisors
Background
Two major projects are being discussed for the eastern end of Orange County. Combined they represent the largest commercial development proposal ever to come before the county. Currently, only the Walmart application has been formally submitted. As presented, neither proposal is supported by the guidance found within Orange County's Comprehensive Plan (a twenty-year vision for the county). Due to the recently passed Large Retail Ordinance by the County, the applicants will be required to obtain a special use permit which would include public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors.
Walmart
The application for Walmart includes a 141,487 square foot Supercenter directly across from the intersection of Route 3 and Route 20 on roughly 52 acres of commercially zoned land. The project would include additional areas for future retail. It has been suggested that this additional retail may be chain restaurants. At this time the County has deemed the application incomplete primarily due to insufficient information with regard to the traffic analysis and archeological surveys.
Wilderness Crossing
On roughly 1030 acres (behind and surrounding the proposed Walmart site), Wilderness Crossing would include such uses as 3-4 large retail chains, small retail, offices and limited residential. While no application has been filed, some rough schematics have been presented to the Board of Supervisors. An application is expected soon and the County has shown some preliminary support for the project. From what has been disclosed, it appears to represent development above and beyond what is described in our comprehensive plan and is not in accord with the guiding principles for Economic Development.
Learn how the developments conflict with the Orange County Plan
Write to the Orange County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission
