Per the Gazette.net article, Wal-Mart’s new proposal was submitted on Oct. 8, after the Prince George’s County Council required the company to submit a new special exception proposal, said Tom Lockard, Prince George’s County Planning Department planner coordinator. The new proposal was required due to legislation for buildings larger than 85,000 square feet and with 10 percent food and beverage component.
Changes to the building were made to satisfy community concerns about parking coming right off of Oxon Hill Road, as well as having a parking lot placed right next to the John Hanson Montessori School, which will be one of the store’s neighbors if it is approved. Vice president of the John Hanson Montessori School Parent Teacher Student Association said the changes weren’t enough to warrant her support because she fears there won’t be enough security at the location.
Wal-Mart, along with The Peterson Cos., which operates National Harbor and owns the proposed site’s land, has been trying to build the store since May 2011.