Application for Large Tract Review 5929 Georgia Avenue, NW (Square 2986, Lot 38; Parcel 101/46) Mareh 2011CURTIS CHEVROLET SITE LARGE TRACT REVIEW APPROVAL. STATEMENT IN SUPPORT 1, Introduction Missouri Avenue Development Partners LLC (“Applicant”) filed an application for Large Tract Review (“LTR”) for the Curtis Chevrolet Site (Square 2986, Lot 38!) on December 1, 2008, The project included approximately 400 residential units (517,000 square feet of residential use) and 37,500 square feet of retail space. The development was 65 feet in height, had a floor area ratio (“FAR”) of 3.58 and provided 439 parking spaces. The Office of Planning issued a report dated April 3, 2009, stating that the proposed project was consistent with the purposes and goals of the LTR regulations. The Applicant seeks to amend its earlier application and submi new development plans for the Property. The Applicant now proposes to develop the site with 106,243 square feet of gross floor area dedicated to a Walmart retail store. Plans detailing the proposal are attached as Exhibit A (“Project”). The project area has expanded since its initial LTR approval to also include Parcel 101/46 in addition to Lot 38 of Square 2986 (collectively, the “Property”) for a total land area of approximately 189,089 square fe Walmart is especially appropriate for this site because it is ideal for attracting commuters in “pass-by” trips; it is proximately located to residential uses; it will serve as a catalyst in development of the Georgia Avenue Corridor; and it will help alleviate the “food desert” conditions and fill the retail void in Ward 4. The Project proposes an urban store design that, ' The site was formerly comprised of Lots 36,37, 813, 851, 856, 860, and 863, which were subsequently subdivided to create Lot 38, * This number is based on the Applicant's survey of the Property pepocsirns35432thoughtfully incorporates the history of the Georgia Avenue Corridor, the history of the site and the history of the Brightwood community. Improving the Property with a Walmart will enliven an underutilized, dormant site and provide much needed retail for Ward 4. There is a lack of retail on Georgia Avenue, which the addition of a Walmart will help rectify, Walmart will provide a wide variety of products, enabling customers to purchase the bulk of their supplies, food and clothing in one trip to the store. The Applicant will construct the store in one phase and it anticipates breaking ground on the project in the fall of 2011 and opening in late 2012/early 2013. Missouri Avenue Development Partners LLC will continue to own the Property and Walmart will operate the store under a ground lease. I. Dese ion of Project The development is located at the intersection of Missouri and Georgia Avenues, a prominent intersection in Ward Four. The site is generally bounded by Missouri Avenue, NW to the south; Peabody Street, NW to the north; Georgia Avenue, NW to the west; and residential buildings which front on 9th Street, NW to the east and is commonly referred to as the “Curtis Chevrolet” site or 5929 Georgia Avenue, NW. The site has been used as a car dealership since 1949 and prior to that it stored railears from the former streetcar system in a trolley ear barn that was built in 1909. The car dealership ceased operations in 2008, after 41 years of service. The Applicant is proposing to construct a Walmart store on the Property. Walmart is a national retailer that provides a vast selection of merchandise at discounted prices. The Walmart will include a grocery component which will feature bakery goods, meat and dairy products, fresh produce, dry goods and staples, beverages, deli foods, frozen foods, canned and packaged DeDOCsi70s3545.2