Wal-Mart seeks site rezoning

Wal-Mart wants to tear down an old Kmart in the Sugar House neighborhood and replace it with one of its own stores.

On Friday Wal-Mart officials announced they have applied to rezone the 10.44 acres at 2705 E. Parleys Way from CB (community business) to CS (community shopping).

Wal-Mart officials said in a press release that the rezoning would allow the company to "more effectively serve its customers with a new store rather than operating out of the existing facility." Wal-Mart wants to build a 113,620-square-foot store, to include groceries, plus an 8,700-square-foot covered garden center.

"We plan to invest a significant amount of money and resources into the development of this site, eventually providing the community with a store that is appealing to the eye, technologically modern and environmentally progressive," said Karianne Fallow, senior manager of public affairs for Wal-Mart.

The market radius for the new store is just over two miles, which encompasses more than 23,000 households, according to Wal-Mart. Store officials said they plan to keep the building's size similar to the old Kmart.

If their rezoning application is turned down, Wal-Mart said in a statement that the community would lose out on "significant enhancements" to the property while they would be forced to operate out of the existing building.

Community leaders have already been skeptical of Wal-Mart's plans, wanting the store to look more like Sugar House Commons or simply saying they'd rather have a hotel or dog park in place of the old Kmart.