Largo's large scale retail ordinance was adopted in 2005, but two current proposed Walmarts are the first big box stores to be developed under the new regulations, Planner Thomas Wojtkiw said.
The locations for the proposed new super Walmarts are on North Missouri Avenue at the site of current K-mart, and in the Largo Crossroads area by U.S. 19 and Roosevelt, Wojtkiw said.
Both stores are being developed with the city's large scale retail ordinance, said Wojtkiw.
The ordinance limits the size of the big box store to 125,000 square feet.
The regulation requires multiple entrances on the building from different sides. Parking must be segmented with a mix of walkways and landscaping breaking up the parking area.
Walmart representatives showed proposed plans for the Missouri Avenue North store at a recent neighborhood meeting. The exterior color scheme is earth tones like cobble brown, rockwood clay, oak creek and lotus pod, according to the plans.
"The treatment of the facade is so the store doesn't look like a box. ... It makes it look more residential," a Walmart spokesman said.
The new Missouri Avenue North store has a target grand opening date of early 2014, a Walmart spokesman said.
Related Coverage:
- New Bus Transfer Station Planned for Largo Crossroads
- New Walmart Coming to Missouri Avenue in Largo
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Apartments on Seminole Blvd in Largo. This was reported by the Tampa Bay Times. No! Not sold from a store with a big sign that reads "Gun shop" from from an apartment complex. It is one thing for a Walmart or a Buffalo Wings to open up shop in a public place, but to sell weapons within private dwellings where people live there lives now haven to guns for re-distribution makes me wonder if we have lost sight of our senses. It is one thing to sell clothing or any type of widget within our confines, but guns no. This event makes me wonder what next will it be that we sell from our secret private dwelling. This permit from Largo just opened the door.
in ones home rather than a brick and mortar store where the passerby knows what is being sold to John Q Public.
or any other store where the entrance is at the rear of the parking lot.