Walmart at Leon Springs (Plano, Boerne: 2015, wages, vs.) - San Antonio - Texas (TX) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

smuboy86 · 02-23-2014, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigtexan99

Well if thats the case, I'm sure the store will be empty as non of the high-browed folks would be caught dead shopping there. So a year or so after it opens, Wal Mart will shut it down for lack of customers/profit and slink away with their tail between their legs.

Lol at the demographics in Boerne. West Plano has a walmart in one of the wealthiest Zip codes in the state. It's packed all the time with Planoites.

BoerneMan · 02-23-2014, 05:28 PM

I expect it will be just like the Walmart in Boerne. People come out of the woodwork for these stores. Hopefully it won't get to be like the store at DeZavala. Yikes. And, yes, I have been in these stores before.

scrubalinda · 02-23-2014, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoerneMan

What can be done with fierce neighborhood opposition is landscaped buffer zones, limited hours for deliveries, "dark sky" lighting, architectural improvements, etc. I hope all of that happens - this is what should have happened when the Walmart and Home Depot were built in Boerne, but the town and citizens weren't very organized at the time. The best recent, local example is the improvements over the typical Walmart that came about for the store being built at Wurzbach Parkway and Blanco Rd due to its proximity to Hardberger Park.

So, what exactly is "landscaped buffer zones"... and how can we go about doing all you've listed? Letters to local government?

TXStrat · 02-23-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoerneMan

It can't be stopped unless you can pull a lot of money together to buy the site from them at a price that would have to exceed its market value dramatically. That is a prime site in a corridor that doesn't have many such sites available for big box retail. They took it so that HEB could not build a Plus store there. Walmart is all about gaining market share here.

What can be done with fierce neighborhood opposition is landscaped buffer zones, limited hours for deliveries, "dark sky" lighting, architectural improvements, etc. I hope all of that happens - this is what should have happened when the Walmart and Home Depot were built in Boerne, but the town and citizens weren't very organized at the time. The best recent, local example is the improvements over the typical Walmart that came about for the store being built at Wurzbach Parkway and Blanco Rd due to its proximity to Hardberger Park.

While the Home Depot isn't ideally situated, the Walmart in Boerne is set far enough back from the road that it is possible to drive right past it and not even see it.

BoerneMan · 02-23-2014, 08:10 PM

The HOA that you are a part of should band together, possibly with your city council person, and proactively set up a meeting with representatives of the developer and Walmart. That said, until plans are submitted to the city (I don't think this has happened yet), it may be difficult to get those type of meetings.

I have mentioned this development to a member of the Stage Run HOA board in the past year or so, and it was news to them when I brought it up. Stage Run backs to this development. Needless to say, their HOA and others in the area are sure to mount massive opposition once plans are submitted. Walmart already knows this and will likely come to the table day one with concessions, but it is important that they are pushed beyond their initial offer.

A landscape buffer zone would include a non-developed green space on the edge of the development that could be a minimal area of 15-25 feet wide or the neighborhood may be able to push for something larger, especially considering the homes and Leon Creek in the area. If the HOA's are on their game, they should try to get funding for hike/bike trails along Leon Creek for its length along Boerne Stage road and funds to improve roads in the area. Also, setting aside funds to use for the inevitable garbage pickup around the store and creek once it opens would be nice.

Just a few ideas to noodle on.

xmtman · 02-25-2014, 05:28 AM

by Phil Anaya / KENS 5
Bio | Email | Follow: @phil_anaya Posted on September 25, 2013 at 8:46 PM
Updated Wednesday, Sep 25 at 8:46 PM

As the battle over one Walmart winds down in Cibolo, a new skirmish involving the retail giant flares up on the Far North side and near some high-dollar neighborhoods. This time, residents are concerned over a potential Walmart going up off I-10 and Boerne Stage Road.

San Antonio District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg said Walmart representatives have been in touch with his staff about a new store built at the location.

"We've been told it's a 150,000 square feet which is a major store," said Nirenberg.

Although it’s in the early stages of development, some nearby residents are concerned. The Dominion Home Owners Association recently sent an urgent email warning residents of "significant commercial growth" and to contact city officials asking to slow down and seek smart growth.

Glady's Samaniego is one of those concerned residents in the Dominion.

"That's why we moved over here, we wanted to be further away from all that action going on back there," said Samaniego.

Samaniego said she fears her property could lose value and that a Walmart would worsen the high volume of traffic already in the area.

"It's going to bring a lot more congestion with the traffic. Look how it is with one lane right now, but its going to be chaos," said Samaniego.

"What we're trying to do is make sure the existing traffic concerns are addressed before anything is done and my charge is to make sure due diligence is performed and we get the neighborhoods and the community a seat at the table," said Nirenberg.

KENS 5 reached out to Walmart to confirm a store is planned for that site. A spokesperson sent a statement that said:

"We are always looking to best serve our customers in San Antonio. Currently we have nothing to announce."

In the meantime, Nirenberg said he plans to continue meeting with concerned residents and promises a traffic study will be done before any store is built in the area.