Developers are free to begin work in Decatur’s Suburban Plaza after a community group lost an appeal to block a Walmart supercenter.

The DeKalb Zoning Board of Appeals voted to deny the appeal of Good Growth DeKalb, a group of residents formed more than a year ago to promote the sustainable development of their community.

The group’s appeal challenged the building permit issued by DeKalb County in December, asserting that the building permit does not comply with county ordinances governing stormwater control, tree protection and truck traffic associated with development.

“We don’t believe permits were granted in accordance with the law,” said Mary Shellman, resident of the Medlock community and a member of Good Growth DeKalb. “We don’t believe trucks should be on Medlock Road. It cannot handle that traffic. We just don’t need another magnet for more vehicles.”

Shellman said the proposed development is the “antithesis of what Good Growth DeKalb supports.”

“We don’t believe a big autocentric, giant development at Surburban Plaza is healthy, sustainable growth,” Shellman said. “We’d like to see something that encourages people to walk, to ride their bikes, to support small businesses there.”

The appellate decision means developers can proceed with the proposed 150,000-square-foot store, which would have groceries, a deli, pharmacy, and an optical center.

Suburban Plaza’s owner, Selig Enterprises, has predicted that the improved shopping center, which will increase by 30,000 square feet, would add 600 to 800 jobs to the community and spur redevelopment in the corridor.

Walmart spokesman Bill Wertz said, “We are delighted to be partners with Selig Enterprises in this retail redevelopment, which we believe will be very positive for the community.

“ Walmart is looking forward to adding 300 new jobs and millions of dollars in new tax revenue to the county by being part of this project,” Wertz said. “We are also excited about offering the community another option for fresh, affordable food and other merchandise.”

The ruling was good news for Suburban Plaza’s developer, Selig Enterprises Inc.

“I think they made the correct decision it was made on the facts,” said Scott Selig, vice president of Selig Enterprises Inc.

Selig said his company will continue with its plans to redevelop the shopping center.

“Our plans are in,” Selig said. “We will start gearing up to start demolition.”

Construction is planned to begin in late spring with the shopping center’s renovation to be completed in early 2015.

Despite the yearlong protests from residents, Selig said his company is here to stay.

“If you check our reputation out around this entire region, it’s impeccable,” Selig said. “We are not merchant-developers. In other words, we don’t build and then sell. We build and we buy and we don’t sell.

“We’re a family developer,” Selig said. “I’m fourth generation. We’ve been here for 90-something years. We are a good neighbor.”

Although he said he believes the development will be a “great amenity,” Selig said he understands the misgivings of some residents the supercenter coming to Suburban Plaza.

“People hear this and think, ‘What’s coming?’” Selig said. “It’s scary. Anything new that changes what’s there is scary.

“Looking back, when it’s all done and fully running, I think everyone’s going to be extremely thrilled with what’s there,” Selig said. “When it’s done, you will not recognize what was there before. It’s going to bring it back and go beyond what the glory days were.”