Ankeny Walmart proposal stagnant, draft study shows signage, turn lane changes
ANKENY, Iowa — The City of Ankeny says a rezoning application that would add a Walmart is still on hold. A recent draft of a traffic survey indicates the project would require major signage and road work.
A proposal to change a multi-family residential area near Northwest 36th Street and North Ankeny Boulevard into commercial property for a Walmart was presented to the City of Ankeny in December 2024. In response, the city ordered a traffic impact survey to assess the proposed development's impact.
Since the proposal was presented, residents in the area have spoken out against the development online and at City of Ankeny board meetings. Residents worry about increased traffic along main and side roads, and increased noise and light pollution.
The City of Ankeny says an early draft of the requested traffic impact survey was submitted to them on April 1. The draft will now go through rounds of comments and revisions before it's approved and considered a final document.
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The first draft of the survey outlines other developments expected to go up in the area by 2027 and the impact on traffic. A senior living facility, a bank, and office space are listed to go up in the area west of the proposed Walmart.
The study focused on 11 surrounding intersections that would be impacted by the development, and recommended changes for traffic safety and efficiency. The first would require signage and turning lanes at the three Walmart access points.
The results also advise putting in traffic signals and left and right turning lanes at six intersections along Northwest 36th Street and North Ankeny Boulevard. Turning lanes and a traffic signal at Northwest Reinhardt Drive are also listed in the draft.
The City of Ankeny says there is no timeline on how long revisions to the traffic impact study will take, and there is no word on when the proposal would go before the Planning and Zoning Board.
While the project will not go before the May 6 Planning and Zoning meeting, the city says there will be an opportunity for citizens to file correspondence, as in previous meetings.
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