Columbia (Map, News) - Columbia could make room for Wegmans, but some officials wonder how a large grocery store could affect nearby village centers.

“I am glad we are getting the diversity in food stores, but it is going to have a long-term effect on our shopping centers,” said Pearl Atkinson-Stewart, a member of the Columbia Association’s board of directors.

Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets Inc. submitted plans to the county Monday for a 160,000-square-foot store at Snowden River Parkway and McGaw Road.

“It makes sense as far as our growth pattern is concerned,” Wegmans spokeswoman Jeanne Colleluori said of the Columbia location, adding it has the land space and strong highway systems the store needs.

Wegmans’ first Maryland store opened in Hunt Valley in 2005, and stores are planned for Crofton in Anne Arundel and Landover in Prince George’s.

At typically 80,000 to 130,000 square feet, Wegmans stores are larger and have more product choices than average supermarkets.

Some Columbia village centers have struggled to keep their grocery stores as supermarkets have grown. The Giant in Wilde Lake closed, and the long-empty Safeway building in Kings Contrivance was demolished to make way for a Harris Teeter.

“I think this could be an exciting opportunity if we work with it in tandem with the revitalization of these neighborhoods,” Council Chairman Calvin Ball, D-District 2 said.

The new addition wouldn’t hurt the village centers because they have a different appeal than a large supermarket, Howard County Chamber of Commerce President Pam Klahr said.

A larger store also could push the village centers to compete for business, she said.

Wegmans’ plans face review from the county’s Planning and Zoning Department and approval from the Planning Board.

smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com