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Proposed Target Development

At a glance

  • What: A proposed Target store on Highway 123. Four related ordinances annex and rezone about 33 acres to General Commercial and approve a development agreement, including a new access road.
  • Where it stands: All four ordinances passed second reading on September 14, 2026, each by 4-3. The Planning Commission had recommended denial 3-1.
  • Next: The developer will offer the access road to the City for dedication before a certificate of occupancy; Council decides then whether to accept it. Construction is expected to start in early 2027, with opening in summer or fall 2028.

The ordinances (September 14, 2026)

Ordinance What Vote
2026-22 Annex about 12.014 acres (Freeman Real Estate, LLC), General Commercial 4-3
2026-23 Annex about 3.813 acres (William David Freeman and Elaine M. Freeman), General Commercial 4-3
2026-24 Rezone about 17.05 acres (RT Calhoun Memorial, LLC) from General Residential to General Commercial 4-3
2026-25 Development agreement with RT Calhoun Memorial, LLC 4-3
  • In favor on 2026-22, -23 and -25: Mayor Talbert, O'Shields, Rainey and Fedder. Opposed: Searcy, Clark and Alexander.
  • On the rezoning (2026-24), Clark voted yes; Searcy and Alexander opposed.
  • The development agreement was amended 7-0 so the developer reimburses the City up to $50,000 for legal fees and costs of any eminent-domain or condemnation action. Target's representative had agreed. See Target Access Road Easement.
  • Between readings the document changed from an incentive agreement to a development agreement. The City Attorney said this did not restart the process because the terms were substantially the same; the main change was removing the City's proposed reimbursement commitment (earlier discussed as up to about $2 million).

Project details (work session, September 14)

  • The access road would be offered for dedication on completion. If Council accepts, the City maintains it after a two-year warranty on design and construction defects. Pavement: 3.5 inches of asphalt over 8 inches of aggregate base, designed for truck and commercial traffic.
  • Construction is phased to keep nearby businesses accessible; a 675-foot turn lane on U.S. Highway 123 is planned and the state transportation department was finalizing the encroachment permit.
  • The store is estimated at about 18 months of construction. The whole property would be General Commercial, not houses, apartments or townhomes.
  • Council discussed directing part of future revenue from the development to the City's road fund and asked for more analysis.

What speakers said

  • Supporters cited tax revenue, jobs, retail choice, road improvements and the alternative of 108 approved townhomes. Dr. Swords, Chamber of Commerce president, presented a member survey (about 20 percent responded): 87 percent concerned about traffic, 82 percent supportive with traffic improvements, 76 percent without, 84 percent expecting a positive economic impact.
  • Rebecca Starnes said she was not opposed to Target but urged infrastructure and services stay ahead of growth, and questioned the precedent of government action affecting easement rights.
  • Councilwoman Clark reported her ward survey: 120 responses, and 58.8 percent said no to a city-owned access road versus 32.8 percent in support. Councilman O'Shields rejected social-media claims that council members benefit financially.
  • Councilwoman Searcy said her opposition rested on the location, existing congestion and public-safety concerns about access.

Sources

Log

2026-09-14 - City Council

Ordinances 2026-22 through 2026-25 adopted on second reading (see table). Five residents or business leaders spoke in favor and one raised concerns.

2026-09-14 - Work Session

Representatives of the developer and the City Attorney explained the legislative process, the access road dedication and construction plan. A council member announced a proposed amendment on legal-fee reimbursement.

2026-08-10 - City Council

Second reading was not held that night at Target's request. A resident urged Council to reject the annexation. Council went into executive session for legal advice on the project, then voted 5-2 to authorize legal action on the access road easement (see Target Access Road Easement). A public information event was set for August 11.