City Manager James Fisher on June 19 updated Murphy City Council on the status of the planned Wal-Mart Supercenter at the northwest corner of FM 544 and North Murphy Road.? ?

“The holdup has largely been due to TXDOT,” Fisher said. “Wal-Mart was trying to get every one of TXDOT’s permit approvals before starting [construction].”

The delay in construction will have an impact on the city because sales tax revenue will not be reflected in the fiscal year 2013 budget, Fisher said.

Deputy Mayer Pro Tem Colleen Halbert said it would be appreciated if Wal-Mart could send a letter to City Council or post a sign on the property providing an update on construction plans.

In other news, City Council discussed changing the Murphy Community Center’s (MCC) hours of operation, as well as introducing a half- or full-court gym rental option for sports teams outside of open gym hours and adjusting the room rental price for the Murphy Activity Center (MAC).

City staff said it had received consistent community feedback and requests for increased hours for the MCC. It is currently open five days a week and closed to the public on Fridays and Sundays.

Staff proposed that the MCC have longer hours and be open on Sundays. City staff also proposed a reduction in the current price to rent the MAC.

After reviewing staff’s requests and taking into consideration community feedback, City Council said it needed more time to review the proposed changes before making any decisions.

In planning and zoning news, Council approved the application of Murphy Equity Management LLC (Canterra Office Park) requesting to amend a planned development for retail uses to include veterinary use on property located at the northwest quadrant of FM 544 and McCreary Road.

The applicant plans to submit site plan details for a veterinary clinic on Lot 9 of the property, which faces the road and is directly west of O’Reilly Auto Parts.

“I’ve opened up a number of small-animal veterinary hospitals,” said Ron Sheffield, on behalf of the applicant. “It will provide about 25 full time jobs once it’s up and running.”

Some Council members were concerned about the frontage location of the hospital. “I’m having issues with it facing the road instead of a retail store that generates extensive revenue,” said Mayor Pro Tem John Daugherty.

“We’ll have consistency, and we want the frontage lot from a business standpoint,” Sheffield said.

Halbert pointed out that the vet would have visibility from the road via a monument sign.

Council also approved the final plat application for Naini Medical Center on property zoned for retail and office uses for property located on Village Drive, west of Brand Road.

Shifting gears, Council approved a resolution to apply for a North Central Texas Council of Government Solid Waste Grant for compactor trash and recycle bins and use recycle rebate funds as matching funds.

“This is a good use of funds,” said Council Member Dennis Richmond.

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