GOSHEN — The city council voted in favor of amending the Market Centre Planned Unit Development ordinance, essentially approving the on-site relocation of Walmart on Elkhart Road.

The plan is to eventually build a Walmart Supercenter behind the existing Walmart, which will eventually become additional parking for the new building.

The project is expected to be completed over four phases. The first phase is to construct stormwater detention to the southeast of the existing structure, as well as provide a temporary truck route while construction on the new building occurs.

Phase two of the project would include the construction of the new Walmart Supercenter itself. After completion of the new structure, additional parking west of the existing Walmart would be constructed in phase three.

The final phase of the project would entail the demolition of the original building and the site’s conversion to more parking for the new store.

Jim McKee voted president

Council also voted Jim McKee council president for 2013 at Tuesday night’s meeting.

McKee and Everett Thomas were nominated, with McKee winning by a 4-3 vote.

Councilwoman Dixie Robinson, who is the longest serving Republican on the council, was asked by Julia Gautsche if she would accept a nomination, but declined.