Commission OKs mall plan changes

MARTINSBURG - Mountain State University wants to tear down about half of the former Sears store at Martinsburg Mall and replace the old department store's space with two retail outlets, two restaurants and several outdoor landscape features.

"We want to divide the space into four discreet spaces within the confines of the original Sears structure," Brentz Thompson, assistant general counsel for Mountain State University Building Co., told Martinsburg Planning Commission members at their meeting Wednesday, adding that the plans would entail demolishing the existing structure.

MSUBC is the legal entity that holds the titles to MSU properties, including the mall, Thompson said.

He and Don Epley, director of leasing for the mall, presented MSUBC's request to amend the previously approved concept plan for the mall. The mall is zoned planned business.

After a public hearing, during which no one spoke, planning commission members granted the request unanimously.

Planning Commissioner Jeff Molenda raised concerns about increased car and pedestrian traffic in the area of the old Sears store with the change in the site's use.

Mike Covell, the city's engineer and planner, pointed out that if the proposed changes come to fruition, MSUBC would have to return to the planning commission with site plans for approval. He said at that time, discussions about parking, traffic and pedestrian access could be discussed.

According to documents provided by Epley, the proposed development would convert the existing 75,640-square-foot Sears store to two retail spaces totaling 30,625 square feet and 11,977 square feet of free-standing Pad A and Pad B restaurant buildings. He said that about 50 percent of the existing building would be torn down.

The retail space would abut the existing mall and the pads would be located west of the retail spaces across a landscaped area, featuring a garden, an arbor-covered walkway and other outdoor amenities.

Also in the changes to the concept plan are two outparcels and moving the mall's sign a little north of its current location along Interstate 81. The sign now is on the lot where the soon-to-be-opened Olive Garden restaurant is under construction.

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Commission OKs mall plan changes