The Wallingford Planning & Zoning Commission earlier this month unanimously approved an application from the Walmart Supercenter to expand part of its store and reconfigure parking areas to better accommodate a growing demand for online order pickup.
The commission voted 5-0 following a June 8 public hearing to approve a special permit revision allowing the retailer to add approximately 8,000 square feet to its existing 172,000-square-foot store at 844 North Colony Road, also known as state Route 5.
During the public hearing, Luke DiStefano of West Hartford-based engineering firm Bohler LLC, who represented Walmart, told commissioners the company plans to convert part of the existing garden center on the northeast corner of the store into enclosed storage space dedicated to online fulfillment.
The space will be used to store frequently purchased online products for customer pickup orders, he said.
The project reflects the retailer’s continued investment in e-commerce operations, which have become a larger part of its business in recent years. The retail giant recently disclosed similar expansion plans in New Haven, and a broader $68 million investment across Connecticut.
The Wallingford project also will increase the number of designated online-order pickup parking spaces from 23 to 55, which DiStefano said would reduce customer wait times by roughly half.
Commissioners raised questions about traffic, pedestrian safety and operational impacts.
Commissioner Joseph Sanders suggested town officials should examine traffic-signal timing near the site, while Commissioner David Leonardo asked whether the project was expected to increase customer volume. DiStefano said overall store traffic has remained relatively stable, although customer shopping habits have shifted toward online ordering and pickup services.
Commissioner Jeffrey Kohan expressed concern about pest-control practices, because food and other merchandise will be stored in the expanded area. As part of the approval, Walmart agreed to provide information on pesticide use and rodent-control measures.
No members of the public spoke during the hearing.
The commission’s approval included conditions requiring compliance with comments from the town’s Water and Sewer Division and Fire Marshal’s Office, verifying that parking lot striping meets current zoning standards, submitting final site plans and posting a $5,500 erosion and sediment-control bond.
