Construction is expected to begin sometime next year on a 175,000-square-foot retail center on about 24 acres at the southwest corner of County Road 466A and Powell Road.
The development, Wildwood Crossings, also may include assisted living or independent living units. The land was cleared recently, but no specific businesses have been announced.
Wildwood Special Magistrate Archie O. Lowry Jr. recommended approval of a revised plan for the planned unit development Monday at a meeting of the city’s Planning and Zoning Board. The City Commission likely will consider the plan later this month.
Wildwood Crossings originally was approved in 2010, but the revised plan, which eliminates homes, was proposed last month. Phase 1 calls for about 100,000 square feet of commercial space on the northwest portion of the site. Phase 2, scheduled to begin in 2019, would add another 75,000 square feet.
Of six proposed buildings, one will be three stories while the others will be one or two stories. No single store can exceed 47,500 square feet, except a grocery store. A retention pond is planned at the south end of the site.
At the meeting, two nearby residents expressed concern about the use of Broken Oak Road, which runs south of the property.
Mary Catherine Wimberly said she wants to make sure that the development does not have an access point on the road, which is in disrepair and barely can accommodate one lane of traffic. David Kaplan said he’s concerned about heavy trucks using the road.
Lowry directed development services director Melanie Peavy to get assurances from the developer, Acorn Investments, that they will not use Broken Oak Road.
“I’m sure they’ll be cooperative, but if they’re not, I want the city to get aggressive,” he said.
Lowry also recommended approval of a less dense zoning category for 65 acres along County Road 101 in the Oxford area, where about 200 homes are planned. The City Commission last month voted down a higher density zoning requested for the property.
The special magistrate also recommended approval of a site plan for a 7,306-square-foot commercial office building for the True Wealth Plaza project along State Road 44.
Village of Fenney plats for a 94-home neighborhood and the 53-unit Mockingbird Villas also were recommended for approval. The Village of Fenney along County Road 468 several miles down State Road 44 is the newest Villages community.