Lidl looks at city for newest location
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on May 24, 2016 1:46 PM
German discount grocer Lidl has set its sights on the Goldsboro market and is seeking city approval to build a new store along Wayne Memorial Drive, directly across from Harris Teeter.
The Goldsboro Planning Commission Monday reviewed a requested site plan, which includes a 36,170-square-foot grocery store, on a vacant 4.77-acre lot. The property is located between the Circle K gas station and CVS Pharmacy.
The planning commission also reviewed site plans for the future Maxwell Regional Agricultural and Convention Center and a new Wendy's restaurant, at the corner of U.S. 70 West and N.C. 581, on an outparcel near the Walmart Supercenter.
The planning commission voted to recommend to the Goldsboro City Council the site plans for the grocery store, restaurant and convention center. The council will consider the plans during its meeting June 6.
LIDL GROCERY STORE
Development plans for Lidl sought the addition of a right turning lane from Wayne Memorial Drive. City staff, with input from the N.C. Department of Transportation, instead recommended that a turn lane not be added but access to the store be available through an existing private road that's accessible at the traffic light. The planning commission voted in favor of DOT and staff recommendations.
Lidl, which operates 10,000 stores in 26 countries throughout Europe, is a direct rival to fellow German discount grocer Aldi.
In 2015, company officials announced plans to launch into the United States market, with its U.S. headquarters in Virginia and regional headquarters and a distribution center in Alamance County.
Lidl stores offer fresh meats, produce and bakery items, as well as a wide selection of household goods, at discount prices. The company has already started seeking future locations in North Carolina, including sites in Burlington, the Triangle and Wilson.
AGRICULTURAL AND CONVENTION CENTER
Site plans for the future Maxwell Regional Agricultural and Convention Center include a 66,321-square-foot building on the near 12-acre site along Wayne Memorial Drive, near the corner of New Hope Road. Another 4,800-square-foot open-air farmer's market shelter is also planned on the property.
The planning commission approved for recommendation to the city council that parking requirements be modified from 704 spaces to 531 because of available parking at Wayne Community College, said James Rowe, Goldsboro planning director.
"The developer has indicated that the reduction in parking is based on overflow parking that is available at the adjacent college to serve the convention center, if needed," Rowe said.
The main entrance into the center will be along Wayne Memorial Drive, with additional access on Wayne Memorial Drive and New Hope Road. The site plan includes the addition of a median and left-over access from Wayne Memorial Drive. The left-turn lane along New Hope Road is also recommended to extend an additional 480 feet, which will allow for right and left turns onto the property, Rowe said.
WENDY'S RESTAURANT
A new 2,615-square-foot Wendy's restaurant is proposed on a 1.3-acre site in the Shoppes of Goldsboro, near Walmart. The site plan recommends that access to the restaurant be allowed within the shopping center and not along U.S. 70 or N.C. 581.
RETAIL, CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
Also during the commission meeting, the planning board approved for recommendation to council a reapplication for a four-tenant retail and restaurant property on along the service road near U.S. 70 East. The property is located on the same service road as Pizza Inn and near William Street.
The site plan, previously approved in 2014, went before the commission for reapproval because the project was not completed within a year from the original approval date, according to city staff.
The project includes the construction of a 5,250-square-foot building that would include a restaurant and three retail spaces.
The commission also approved a site plan for Macedonia United Holy Church, at 406 S. James St., near Pine Street, allowing parking modifications that involve the removal of setbacks, reduced parking spaces and the use of a gravel parking lot.
All site plan recommendations will be considered by the Goldsboro City Council in June.