WALLINGFORD, CT — The Wallingford Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved Walmart's request to expand its North Colony Road store to accommodate growing demand for online order fulfillment during its meeting earlier this month.
The commission approved a special permit revision and site plan for an 8,046-square-foot addition at 844 North Colony Road. The project will enclose part of the store's existing garden center to create indoor storage for frequently purchased online products, according to minutes from the meeting.
Luke DiStefano of West Hartford-based Bohler LLC represented Walmart and said the enclosed space will improve the retailer's ability to fulfill online orders and “should cut the wait time for customers in half,” according to the meeting minutes. The project will also increase designated online pickup parking spaces from 23 to 55.
DiStefano said the project requires only minor site changes. No driveway modifications are planned, and the reconfigured parking lot will result in a net loss of one parking space while remaining compliant with zoning requirements. New pavement striping, upgraded signage, and approximately 35 additional feet of wayfinding signs are also included.
Commissioner James Seichter asked how the enclosed garden center would affect the building's size. DiStefano said that Walmart does not count the greenhouse as floor area, resulting in a small reduction in building coverage despite the increase in enclosed space.
Commissioner Joseph Sanders raised concerns about pedestrian safety, noting that the “traffic light on the east is way too short,” according to the meeting minutes. He suggested a traffic study to evaluate signal timing.
Chair James Fitzsimmons said the proposal was considered a minor modification to an existing traffic generator and therefore was not referred to the police department for review. Town Planner Kevin Pagini said the town engineer had no concerns with the application but would request additional comments regarding the traffic signal.
Commissioner David Leonardo asked whether the expansion would increase customer traffic. DiStefano said overall customer volume has remained stable, but they do see less pedestrian traffic, and the vehicular traffic is the same, according to the meeting minutes.
Commissioner Casey Camire asked why the proposal required a special permit revision. Pagini said the application modifies an existing special permit. Camire also requested clarification about revised traffic arrows addressing an illegal left turn in the parking lot. DiStefano said that he will make sure the illegal left turn is corrected. Fitzsimmons noted that there was a zoning violation that had been corrected.
Vice Chair Jeffrey Kohan asked whether the project would affect the storage area across the driveway. DiStefano said no additional changes are planned.
Kohan also asked how Walmart would manage pest control in the new food storage area. DiStefano said he did not have that information because it is an operations and maintenance matter but agreed to provide it. Kohan requested that information on pesticide use and rodent control be made a condition of approval, citing concerns about wildlife, including eagles observed in the area, according to the meeting minutes. DiStefano agreed to the condition.
Pagini also requested that Walmart verify all accessible parking spaces comply with current zoning requirements when the parking lot is restriped.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing.
Before closing the public hearing, Fitzsimmons confirmed there were no objections to adding the pesticide information requirement as a condition of approval and asked Pagini to discuss the traffic signal concerns with the town engineer.
The commission unanimously closed the public hearing and later voted 5-0 to approve the application.
The approval includes six conditions:
The approved project will allow Walmart to expand its online order fulfillment operations without increasing overall traffic or significantly altering the existing site layout.
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