Lowe’s plans to downsize store

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

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A Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse approved last fall might get a little smaller.

In October, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a plan by the retailer to build a 171,000-square-foot store on a nearly 20-acre parcel off Freemans Bridge Road across Dutch Meadow Lane from Wal-Mart. Lowe’s representatives said at the time they hoped to start construction later that fall.

However Lowe’s is now seeking to reduce the building by about 14,000 square feet and reduce the parking lot from 538 spaces to 452 spaces. The commission will consider the request at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. today.

Town Planner Michael Burns said the original plan called for building a large retaining wall. By reducing 14,000 square feet from one side of the building, they will not need to construct the wall.

“Everything else remains the same,” he said.

Store officials said previously the store would employ about 175 people with about 70 percent being full-time workers.

Lowe’s is required to make traffic improvements as a condition of its approval. Town Administrator Tony Germano said Lowe’s will widen a section of Freemans Bridge Road from Maple Avenue to the project site to include a turning lane. He said store officials are working to obtain one final easement necessary for the project. The store is also going to put a traffic light at its intersection with Freemans Bridge Road and a crosswalk across Freemans Bridge Road.

“It’s a start for pedestrian access in that whole general area. That’s something we’re keenly interested in. We’re appreciative of Lowe’s commitment to this,” Germano said.

The traffic improvements will be done concurrently with the building, he said.

Lowe’s spokeswoman Maureen Rich said the store could not comment on pending real estate matters.

The commission will also review a proposed 44-unit townhouse development called Yates Farm Townhomes on a 7.3-acre parcel off Maple Avenue.

At a meeting last month, residents raised concerns about traffic, stormwater runoff and the architecture of the homes.ry>