Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is trying to convince the North Huntingdon planning commission that smaller is better.
Top-level corporate officials on Monday night presented a revised plan for a downsized superstore in the planned Mills Pointe shopping center on Route 30.
Roger Lein, senior design manager of real estate, told planners that Wal-Mart wanted to construct a 155,000-square-foot store instead of the 190,000-square-foot building, which township commissioners approved in 2003.
It is the second downsizing of the proposed store, which would anchor the commercial-retail complex being developed by DeBartolo Development/Irwin and near the Irwin interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Last summer, Wal-Mart advised township officials that the company was contemplating reducing the size of the store to 180,000 square feet. A plan was never presented to planners for consideration.
"Wal-Mart believes we can still serve customers of the Norwin area in a smaller footprint," Mr. Lein explained.
Planners expressed concerns about the design changes of the smaller building compared to a more stylish concept that Mr. Lein showed the board last summer.
That design concept was supposed to avoid the "big box" look.
Bill Boyden, Wal-Mart corporate architect, said reducing the size would result in a more energy-efficient building that would enable the company to incorporate the latest technological advancements.
"This store will be revolutionary. There won't be another Wal-Mart like it in the entire country," Mr. Boyden predicted.
Andy Blenko, township planning director/engineer, said: "The smaller building will eliminate construction of two proposed retaining walls on the sides of the property that overlook Route 30 and the Turnpike.
"In my opinion, that's good. No matter how well retaining walls are constructed, a potential for failure exists."
Planner Bernie Solomon said: "I'm really not happy with this. I feel the design is a downgrade."
Mr. Lein said, "We anticipated there might be some adverse response regarding the new plan for the Irwin store. We'll report back to corporate and come back to the board with our solutions. We will try to ease their concerns."
Mr. Lein projected a "possible late summer or early fall" date for the start of construction.
DeBartolo/Irwin was supposed to begin work on the relocation of existing Barnes Lake Road on Jan. 11. In addition, businessman Marvin Sheffler appealed a highway occupancy permit that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation issued to the developer in December. That matter has not been resolved.
The projected opening for the Wal-Mart is the spring of 2011.
In another township matter, the zoning hearing board Tuesday granted a conditional special exception to Courtesy Suzuki Land Holdings to build a new Kia car dealership on Route 30 on 7 acres now occupied by Stewart Glen trailer park.
The condition is that the plan must be approved by the planning commission and township commissioners.
Kia dealership owner Jim Shorkey said the $3 million project would stretch from Colonial Manor Road to Naponic Lane., and include a three-story building to house offices, a showroom and maintenance facility.
Mr. Shorkey plans a $500,000 renovation of his current Kia dealership a short distance west. It would become a used car lot.
First Published: March 4, 2010, 11:15 a.m.
