By Michael Copley
Staff Writer

The Powhatan Board of Supervisors has decided to hire an outside consultant to review Walmart’s traffic impact analysis.

District 1 Supervisor Joe Walton said “With so much going on- on both sides of Route 60- from Page Rd. to South Creek One, [Powhatan] needs a transportation planner to make sure the county gets the best deal.”

The county’s transportation study group asked officials to ensure the engineers’ analysis is a “global study” that looks at the entire area in eastern Powhatan where the proposed Walmart would be built, including traffic impacts to the roads that feed Route 60.

Planning Director Brandon Stidham said the county can pay the consultant with unspent transportation money from last year’s budget. $20,000 remains earmarked for transportation services.

Walmart’s first TIA was rejected by county planning staff but the retailer submitted a revised analysis November 17.

The county will have to move quickly to hire a firm for a traffic analysis; officials take up Walmart’s rezoning request in January- instead of December- because the applicant requested a one-month deferral.