Cedar Hills announced Wednesday that Wal-Mart has submitted a development application for a master-planned commercial development on the 18-acre lot on the north side of Cedar Hills Drive, next to 4800 West.

But this is not your ordinary Wal-Mart. The proposed store would be a combination of a big supercenter and a neighborhood grocery store.

"For us, they're doing something in between. It's extra work, and I appreciate they're willing to do that," Councilman Jim Perry said.

And where Cedar Hills is concerned, size does matter. That's why city officials are cautiously optimistic about Wal-Mart's second go round. Wal-Mart's proposal to build a store in the city in 2003 was for a 160,000-square-foot supercenter, and residents spoke out on the size of the building. The city subsequently refused to allow Wal-Mart within its borders.

"They are much more responsive than in the past to what we'd like to see," said Councilman Gary Maxwell. "But this is just the beginning. It's not a done deal by any means."

The proposed smaller store would be about 125,000 square, with a garden center but no auto center, Perry said.

"It's smaller than last time, and it will make the whole thing a walking community shopping area," Mayor Mike McGee said.

And besides being smaller, the proposed store would have a unique look.

"Wal-Mart's very much aware of our design guidelines and they seem willing to work with our city to bring a unique store that still has that colonial look we're after," Councilman Eric Richardson said.

Location is also a main factor here. Wal-Mart's plan sets the store in the west corner of the lot, across the street from Lone Peak High School, and farther away from the homes that border the area.

"Their layout has a retention basin and out lots in the area nearest the residential. So there will be some green space, and then office space," Perry said.

For the past few months, the city has been in talks with Phillips Edison, the owner and developer of the lot. Wal-Mart officially made the application for development Tuesday.

"The very minute they agreed to allow their name to go public, I started writing up the press release," Perry said. "We want the residents to be informed from the start this time, we want the process to be as transparent as possible."

Councilman Joel Wright said he thinks the process from here on out is straightforward because Wal-Mart has worked so hard to comply with the vision of Cedar Hills. "I was somewhat astonished that they were willing to comply with our guidelines. They've shown enormous respect for our codes," he said.

Perry said Wal-Mart is not targeting a wide customer base, only Cedar Hills and the bordering areas of Alpine and Highland. The closest grocery store to those residents is the Kohler's in Highland, and the nearest Wal-Mart is in Lindon.

While Highland has plans to add to its retail area on the corner of Highland Highway and Alpine Highway, the Alpine Planning Commission denied a petition Tuesday night to rezone a large horse pasture to commercial.

"This Wal-Mart will generate more sales tax revenue than any other store that could have come in here. It's our turn," Wright said.

Cedar Hills council members and staff are hopeful that residents will be in favor of Wal-Mart this time.

"Here we are a few years later, and residents want convenience and a tax base. We want a store," Perry said.

"I'm just excited to be getting a store here. It's long overdue. And the sooner the better, I say, as a mom who has to grocery shop miles from my own city," said Councilwoman Charelle Bowman.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page D1.