Wal-Mart expansion approved

BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The township Planning Board has approved a resolution which paves the way for an expansion of the Wal-Mart department store on Route 537 at Wal-Mart Drive. The expansion is expected to include what has been described as a full-service supermarket.

The board approved the resolution on Feb. 17 following a public hearing on the planned expansion that was held at a previous meeting.

The company will build a 37,082- square-foot addition to the existing Wal- Mart. Wal-Mart had previous approval for a 66,000-square-foot addition, but the company scaled back its plans for the extra space.

Technically, the applicant, Wal-Mart Real State Business Trust, was seeking an amendment to its final Planning Board site plan approval in order to decrease the size of the previously approved expansion to the existing store. The planned expansion will bring the total square footage of Wal-Mart to 193,082 square feet.

Additional parking spaces will be provided, according to the testimony of the applicant.

When the addition is completed there will be two entrances to the Wal-Mart building— one entrance for the supermarket and pharmacy, and one entrance for the home and living area. The entrances will be at opposite ends of the building. The existing entrance to Wal-Mart will then no longer be used.