Woodstock Approves New Sam's Club Location

The Woodstock City Council on Monday approved a request from Sam’s Club to open a new facility on Highway 92.

The council unanimously approved a request for three variances and a conditional use permit to operate a store and fuel center at 9496 Highway 92, property which is zoned Downtown Commercial Mixed Use.

The variances will allow the company to increase parking from 3.3 spaces per 1,000 square feet to 4.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet, reduce open space requirements and deviate from the city’s Code Compliance Certificate to address specific site issues such as architecture, driveway and access and street facade requirements.

Woodstock Zoning Administrator Patti Hart said the company plans to demolish the current structure and construct a new building in its place on the property, which is 17.662 acres.

Jennifer Blackburn of Troutman Sanders LLP, an attorney representing Sam’s Club, said construction for the new facility could start as early as October and possibly wrap up by September 2015.

The current building serves as the anchor for the Woodstock Place Shopping Center, which sits at the northwest corner of Highway 92 and Main Street in Woodstock.

It housed Walmart before the company moved to a location on Highway 92 at Trickum Road. Since Walmart’s move, the building has sat largely vacant, with the exception of Woodstock Market and Ben’s Furniture occupying the space at one time or another.

Councilman Bud Leonard said the people he talked to about Sam’s Club’s intentions have been “so excited.”

Councilman Chris Casdia inquired about the possibility of the company utilizing part of its structure for a mural, which would greet motorists and residents. Casdia the mural could communicate something specific about Woodstock.

Mayor Donnie Henriques suggested Casdia float the idea of a possible partnership with Elm Street Cultural Arts Village.

(Photo credit: Sam’s Club)