Equipped with planning commission approval, a Walmart Supercenter may be coming to south Provo, occupying roughly 20 acres of a 36-acre parcel of land north of Lakeview Parkway.

A glimpse at what will become of the remaining undeveloped acreage was presented in a Provo Neighborhood District 3 meeting Wednesday night.

Home developer Foulger Pratt is proposing to build 150 two-story townhomes for rent along 12.5 acres that will wrap around the potential Walmart to the north and the west. The property is currently zoned as freeway commercial and would have to be rezoned as low-density residential.

Foulger Pratt Development Director Jamie Chapman, who also represents the property owner on the project, said the proposal is in alignment with the city’s general plan and would be in a good location between the existing housing and the potential Walmart.

“This is a compatible use with the single family neighborhood to the north and the townhome space to the west,” Chapman said. “And what this really does is it provides a buffer between the single family neighborhood and the busy activity of the Walmart that’s coming.”

The project is currently in the department review section of the city’s development process. When that is completed, the proposal will go before the planning commission.

The development would include 393 parking spaces — 49 spots above the required minimum — a dog park, picnic area, playground, open play area and a fitness center. Chapman said the townhomes would act as a middle ground between apartments and single-family homes.

“One of the great things about this type of product is that it’s a brilliant way to bridge the gap between young folks that are tired of living in a typical apartment but can’t afford a single family home, yet can’t afford the down payment,” he said. “This gives them a single family type of living, but it’s still a rental product that they can afford.”

A brief question and answer phase opened at the end of Chapman’s presentation. A main concern from attendees was that the townhomes would be rentals.

“This is not a stepping stone for anyone, because you don’t acquire any kind of wealth when you rent, enough to ever buy a home,” a woman said.

She inquired if renting was a cheaper option to selling townhomes, to which Chapman responded the two options are “completely different financing mechanisms.”

A man asked what would happen if the rental properties did not sell.

“Typical absorption is 80%-90% of rental units,” Chapman said. “We’re not in the business of finding sites that don’t rent, so we’re pretty confident that these will.”