AHOSKIE – An effort by Wal-Mart to possibly build a Super Center here took another step forward last week.

Members of the Ahoskie Town Council unanimously approved a resolution that calls for an Oct. 11 public hearing regarding the annexation of private property into the town’s corporate limits.

That property – 17.081 acres owned by Mary Francis Perry Johnson – is located off US 13 South, adjacent to Freeman Metal Products. Johnson submitted the request for annexation. Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust is interested in purchasing that property.

At last month’s meeting, the Ahoskie Town Council, following a public hearing, approved rezoning that same property from R-20 to B-3. Additionally, town officials have certified the sufficiency of the petition that calls for the annexation.

“This particular project comes with stipulations,” Ahoskie Town Manager Tony Hammond informed the Council members at last week’s meeting. “The rezoning and annexation takes effect upon final sale of the property from Ms. Johnson to Wal Mart Properties. If at any time the sale falls through and is not finalized, then both the resolution to annex and the rezoning request approved last month becomes null and void.”

The motion was made and approved without objection to move forward with advertising and holding a public hearing regarding annexation of the property at the council’s next scheduled meeting (10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11).