ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Residents on both the east and west sides of Orange County told county leaders they have major concerns about plans for new Walmart stores.
Walmart has a plan to build a supercenter off New Independence Parkway, close to State Road 429, near Winter Garden. The other plan calls for a Walmart neighborhood market at Curry Ford Road and Econlockhatchee Trail on the east side.
The east Orange County plan originally called for a supercenter, but the project was scaled back to a neighborhood market.
Residents on both sides said they have serious traffic concerns. County officials said a traffic study indicates the east Orange County location is ready for the Walmart.
Photos: Land for proposed Walmarts in Orange County
"When this project was planned, there was capacity on the roadway," said Ruby Rozier, with Orange County's Traffic Engineering Divison.
The west Orange County location is more open with new roads designed to deal with the increased traffic. The county said the area was planned to handle a major retail chain like Walmart.
Eyewitness News found county emails from several residents voicing concerns. One resident asked how they can dispute the project. Emails to the county from east Orange County residents say how much the area is already congested.
"At its worst, traffic around here is almost at a stand still," resident Cory Anthony said.
Officials said the final plans for the west Orange County Walmart are still in the works, while the east side location is essentially a done deal.
WFTV
