Walmart to Become a Superstore Within Year

After receiving the go-ahead from the Lake Zurich Village Board, Walmart, 820 S. Rand Rd., began renovations and expansion to become a superstore while compromising to the concerns and requests of residents.

The retailer will begin building an addition of more than 40,000 square-feet to the east where the garden center is located, and new construction will stretch into the adjacent parking lot leaving one row of parking and space for its trucks to deliver goods.

Additions to current grocery offerings will include produce, meats, a deli and a bakery. The project is expected to take around 12 months, and once complete, Walmart will have a grand re-opening and become a 24-hour store.

The Lake Zurich Building and Zoning Department has been working closely with the chain since late 2007 to iron out details of the project. 

Director of Building and Zoning Dan Peterson said the company has been very attentive to resident concerns, and both sides are satisfied after a public meeting took place over summer.

The main issues covered at the meeting related to safety and privacy, particularly the wooden fence that separates Walmart from the residential area butting up to Edelweiss Drive.

The fence has an area where individuals can cut through, and there has been an increase in vandalism and theft in the area, though it has not been determined if the incidents resulted from people entering from the shopping center.

Walmart initially planned on fortifying the fence, but after listening to residents, the company agreed to install an 8-foot masonry wall with no pass-though areas, which would also help in reducing light and sound being carried into the surrounding neighborhood. 

Other changes to Walmart's original plan were the lowering of a light pole to further reduce light shining into the neighborhood, increased landscaping and added stop signs to curb additional traffic. 

A traffic study found the increase in traffic flow would have a minimal effect on the area. 

The retailer will also have to go before the village to provide justification for any outdoor sales.  For items such as Christmas trees or spring flowers and plants, the company will have to obtain permits on a case-by-case basis instead of having a continual outdoor sales area in the parking lot as other locations do.

Walmart has also focused on green initiatives by making a number of renovations with  energy conservation as a top priority. 

The renovations include the use of LED lighting both for the outside marquis as well as for its refrigerated cases, the use of automatic faucets and toilets to reduce water consumption, dehumidification so the building needs less energy for cooling and heating and the use of non-ozone depleting refrigerant.

The store will remain open during all stages of the renovation.  The exterior modifications will be completed before this winter, and the interior work will continue into spring and summer of next year.

John Sfire, who owns Deerpath Commons Retail Center and has been very involved in the process to gain village approval for the project, said "the expansion is beneficial to the shopping center, residents and the village of Lake Zurich."

"Walmart needs some kudos," he said. "The process went smoothly, they met with residents and addressed concerns, and it's a win-win for everybody. We should be thankful that Walmart is willing to invest millions in this expansion."