North Raleigh residents push back against proposed Publix
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The concerns of a group of North Raleigh residents did not fall on deaf ears. Monday the developers for a Publix grocery store at the intersection of Dunn and Falls of Neuse Roads announced it will scale back its original plan.
What was supposed to be a 49,000 square foot store will likely be 28,000 square feet.
An attorney for the developer tells ABC11 the change is in response to community concern for increased traffic and future development in the area.
"Some view 50,000 square feet as too big and they want smaller shops. It's taken a long time to get to this point," say attorney Mack Paul, adding paperwork reflecting the revised plan will be submitted this week.
The plan still needs the planning commission's approval as well as the Raleigh City Council.
Concerned residents are reluctant to celebrate this small victory. Anti-rezoning signs still line the streets near the intersection of the proposed site.
"We explained that we support no change in the zoning and support development under the current zoning only," said David Cox with the North Raleigh Homeowners Coalition in an email.
"Development for any store greater than 28,000 square feet is off the table," Cox added.
The group is also closely monitoring plans for another specialty grocery store at the intersection of Litchford and Falls of Neuse.
The developer in that case is pushing for a 23,800 square foot facility. Nearby homeowners will meet Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the North Raleigh Church of Christ.
