ARIZONA SITE FIGHT: MEETING POSTPONED

Topics: | | Community Impact | Economic/Small Business | | Zoning Regulations | | |

Wal-Mart meeting postponed until Nov. 5 [Arizona Republic]

A shopping center zoning case that mobilized south Chandler neighbors against Wal-Mart will be postponed until Nov. 5, but the developer has already posted new signs on the property promoting the land as potential industrial site.

Diversified Partners’ request to zone 30 acres at Arizona Avenue and Riggs Road for a shopping center was supposed to have gone to the Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, but on Monday the developer’s attorney requested a delay so he can continue working with residents, said planner Jodie Novak.

Kirk Sibley, leader of Riggs Residents for Retail Diversity, said the group met with Diversified’s attorney, David Cisiewski, last weekend and described the session as “productive.” Although Diversified has not named an anchor tenant for the project, residents have said they oppose it because it appears to be designed for Wal-Mart.

Sibley said he is disappointed that Diversified erected signs on the property a few days ago and posted information on its corporate Web site that offers the parcel for industrial development. He called the move a “scare tactic” similar to one the company used four years ago when his group successfully fought a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter at the site.

According to a description on Web site, the parcel would be suitable for a dairy processing plant, industrial dry cleaning, boat building or freight yard. Photos on the site depict large silos, open storage buildings, large utility towers and railroad cars.

Sibley said if the land is developed as industrial, he expects buildings would be well-designed and landscaped under high city standards. “We’re not talking an ugly pig farm or whatever else they’ve threatened,” he said. “I’m disappointed at the timing and the strong-arming. What it tells me is that the opposition is having some impact.”

Diversified spokeswoman Liz Gaston said the company would prefer to build a retail project. However, it is marketing the land for industrial use “to protect our investment given the fact some of these neighbors are extremely opposed to a commercial and retail development and we are not sure the city is going to grant the zoning we requested.”

Posted by Luke West on Wednesday, September 17, 2008