Wal-Mart meeting nears

Traffic improvements

suggested to ease

potential congestion

By Amy Bauer

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

A traffic analysis of N.W. Rochester Road and US-24 highway shows improvements are needed before a proposed Wal-Mart SuperCenter could be built northeast of the intersection.

In July, applications were submitted to the Topeka-Shawnee County Metropolitan Planning Department to rezone and plat 23 acres of land on which the retailer has contracts and wants to build a 188,249- square-foot store.

Planning manager Barry Beagle said Friday that the Topeka-Shawnee County Metropolitan Planning Commission's zoning and platting committee had moved the application from its August agenda to its Sept. 15 meeting to complete the traffic impact analysis. That study shows the intersection and streets wouldn't support traffic generated by a Wal-Mart.

Recommendations include installing dual left-turn lanes for vehicles traveling north onto N.W. Rochester Road from US-24 highway and widening part of Rochester and adding more turn lanes to accommodate vehicles entering the Dillons' parking lot to the west and the proposed Wal-Mart SuperCenter to the right.

"We've put the ball back in their court, so to speak," Beagle said.

The zoning and platting committee's Sept. 15 meeting will convene at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers. Its recommendations would go to the city council for final action Oct. 14.

Beagle said his department has heard feedback from several residents regarding the project, although the committee meeting itself also is designed for public comment.

"The few phone calls we have had have been split," Beagle said.

Of about 10 contacts, Beagle said half have expressed support of the project as an enhancement to economic development in North Topeka and half have expressed concern about Wal-Mart's effect on existing businesses.

Since early August, Wal-Mart has been collecting signatures on petitions of support in its existing Topeka stores.

"We typically do something like that, when we have an existing store in the region," said Keith Morris, Wal-Mart spokesman.

He said the petition is a way for managers to direct customers with comments. He said whether the petitions are submitted will depend on the response.

WHAT'S NEXT

Sept. 15: Zoning and platting committee to discuss proposal, make recommendation

Oct. 14: When the proposal would reach Topeka City Council for action

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