Plans still underway for two Walmart stores in Menifee

Red star shows the proposed location of a Walmart store and other retail outlets at Scott Road and Haun Road.

Story has been updated to indicate that the McCall Boulevard Walmart is still in the application process.

Yes, it's true -- Walmart has plans to build not one, but two stores in Menifee. But questions about whether both sites will become reality and when that might happen remain unanswered.

Asked recently by Menifee City Council members for an update and clarification on plans for those Walmart stores, city staff member Jeff Wyman provided a brief update at Wednesday night's meeting. Yet although it appears Walmart officials plan to move ahead on both sites, there still is no timetable for groundbreaking at either one.

Plans have long since been approved by the city for a 205,000-square-foot Walmart to be located in a 240,000-square-foot commercial center at the northeast corner of Scott Road and Haun Road, between Haun and the 215 Freeway. In a 2011 election, 76 percent of Menifee voters approved the construction of a Walmart at that site.

Other than the successful defense against a lawsuit and minor adjustments to the plans, Walmart has done virtually nothing since, however. Wyman said Wednesday that Walmart officials have indicated they probably will hold off until completion of the Scott Road interchange -- a $57 million bridge expansion project which lacks the final phase of funding and will take about 18 months to complete.

"Whether they will actually build it at that point is yet to be determined," Wyman said.

The second Walmart location has been in the application process since 2012. That store, expected to cover 182,000 square feet within a 208,000-square-foot shopping center, would be built on the northeast corner of McCall Boulevard and Encanto Drive in the north part of town.

According to Wyman, Walmart recently submitted its fifth revised plot plan for that project. He said a specific plan and Environmental Impact Report are still needed for that project to move forward. That Walmart, similar in size to the Scott Road site, would include merchandise, a pharmacy, garden center, tire and lube center and grocery section, including a grocery pick-up service for those ordering online, he said.

No other tenants have been identified for that commercial center.

While city officials await further progress from Walmart, council members are debating the wisdom of having two such stores in one city.

"I'm concerned about the second Walmart at McCall," said council member Lesa Sobek. "The voters approved one site, not two, and it was at Scott Road."

Council member Greg August also expressed opposition to a second Walmart, as did Mayor Neil Winter. None of the three were on the City Council when either project plan was first submitted.

"To have two almost identical Walmarts within six miles of each other doesn't make sense, especially with what's happening with Big Box stores," Winter said. "I'd rather see a Sam's Club, which is a different kind of store. I just don't understand the logic in this."

On the other hand, council member John Denver -- who represents the district in which the McCall Walmart is planned -- is in favor of a store at that location.

"The citizens in my district very much would like to have this," Denver said. "That area and all of Romoland has been ignored by the city for years. Let's kill the one at Scott Road."

At that point, city attorney Jeffrey Melching pointed out that because the Walmart update was not an action item on the agenda, further discussion should be limited. The issue was dropped at that point.

Stay tuned.

Red star shows the proposed location of a Walmart store and other retail outlets off McCall Boulevard.