Sudbury, ON. Wal-Mart Revives Proposal
Plans for south end Wal-Mart revived [Sudbury Star (Canada)]
Plans are set to build a 190,000-square-foot Wal-Mart store in Sudbury’s south end, one of the country’s largest real estate developers says.
But sources familiar with the project suggest that, given it’s decade-long history, nothing should be taken for granted just yet.
The proposed Wal-Mart store is part of a larger retail development that would cost upwards of $50 million, create 400 jobs and generate $1 million in new municipal taxes, city council’s planning committee was told Tuesday.
Details of the proposal were provided to the committee by the SmartCentres group, which has a portfolio of 185 shopping centres across the country, 146 of which have a Wal-Mart store as the anchor tenant.
The Wal-Mart store proposed for the south end would span 191,000 square feet - nearly 50 per cent larger than the Wal-Mart store at the New Sudbury Centre.
The proposed Wal-Mart store in the south end would be the first phase of a larger retail development on land north and east of the new Countryside Drive. The second phase of the project would feature other big box stores with another 276,000 square feet of retail space.
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Topics: Community Impact | Workers Rights & Wages | | Canada
Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | Permalink
North Tonawanda, NY. Environmental Impact Study Report Is In
Results are in [The Tonawanda News (N.Y.)]
The environmental impact statement on the proposed Wal-Mart project in North Tonawanda was made public Monday.
City officials are now picking over the 182-page document, making notes.
Based on its findings, the North Tonawanda Planning Commission will decide whether or not Wal-Mart rolls back into North Tonawanda for good.
“With our findings, we will then say ‘yes, the project can move forward, or, no, the project is dead,’” Planning Commission Chairman Gary Przewozny said.
On May 12, the planning commission accepted the “completeness” of efforts to compile the report, and mitigate numerous concerns raised in two public hearings and from input involving at least 20 city, state, county and corporate entities.
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Topics: Environment |
Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 | Permalink
Tupper Lake, NY. Mayor Writes Letter Asking For A Wal-Mart
The nearest Wal-Mart to Tupper Lake is a superstore approximately 44 miles north in Malone, New York. It’s not that Wal-Mart hasn’t tried to push its way into the Adirondacks---but communities like Lake Placid and Saranac Lake fought them off. Now the Mayor of one village that calls itself “The Crossroads of the Adirondacks,” is aggressively courting Wal-Mart---despite the community’s desire to remain a small, quiet, pedestrian-oriented village. The Mayor of Tupper Lake, Mickey Desmarais, is working overtime to bring Wal-Mart to his village of roughly 4,087 people.
The population of Tupper Lake has been described as “slowly shrinking.” The village has lost 5% of its people since 1990, and this trend is expected to continue over the next five years. The community describes itself as a “bustling Adirondack tourist village….steeped in the tradition of the hunting, fishing, lumbering and logging trades.” Tupper Lake attracts tourists, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts---and has never tried to brand itself as a discount shopping mecca.
The village is located in the town of Altamont, and is more known for its annual Woodsmen’s Days competition, than for its big box bargains. Tupper Lake bills itself as a “four-seasons Adirondack getaway,” with 76,168 acres of “rolling upland…covered with a magnificent forest of mixed softwood, sprinkled liberally with palatial lakes, winding rivers and sparkling brooks.”
It would be a challenge to find a more incongruous home for a supercenter. But the Mayor is going to give it a try. The village says it is seeking “quality and appropriate businesses…. that would be compatible with the character and development of the community.” Towards that end, Tupper Lake has “approved tax incentives and potential sites” to attract business.
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Topics: Community Impact | Environment
Posted by Al Norman on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Permalink
Victory In Zionsville, Indiana
Great news today: last night the the Zionsville Plan Commission unanimously voted down a new Wal-Mart, citing “traffic, drainage and crime issues.”
But WISH-TV breaks down the long-awaited decision a little more than that:
Residents said the main reason they didn’t want Wal-Mart coming to town is because they like the small-town feel of Zionsville and they didn’t want Wal-Mart to ruin that charm.
“We just didn’t want to see Wal-Mart move in...don’t need any more,” said Thomas.
And then there’s this priceless gem:
Wal-Mart representatives were at the meeting and were fairly surprised by the outcome.
“It’s a rare obstacle that comes up. Usually we have a warm reception,” said spokesperson Jason Wetzel.
Right. Whatever you say, Jason.
Topics: | | Community Impact | Site Fights & Local Ordinances
Posted by Eric Bull on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Permalink
Zionsville, IN. Wal-Mart Gives Up…For Now
City Says ‘No’ To Wal-Mart Again [6 News (Ind.)]
A three-year fight over a proposed new Wal-Mart store in the Zionsville area came to an end Monday night, for now.
The city’s planning commission rejected the retailer’s long-held plans to build an 18,000-square-foot store on U.S. 421, 6News’ Ericka Flye reported.
Wal-Mart first proposed the idea three years ago but was rejected after objections by residents and local merchants.
“I fought it last time. The big boxes are good about wearing you out,” said resident Drew Kogan.
Two years ago, Zionsville’s planning commission shot down a petition for Wal-Mart to move in, saying they didn’t have jurisdiction because a portion of the land was in a different county.
A judge disagreed and put the plan back in the hands of the commission, which wasted no time Monday in rejecting it again.
“I’m happy. It just doesn’t fit in with Zionsville, I feel,” said resident Lee McClellan. “We have so many little shops.”
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Topics: Community Impact |
Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Permalink
Hemet, CA. Council Comes Down on Wal-Mart
Council comes down on Wal-Mart [The Valley Chronicle (Calif.)]
Whether the condition of the former Wal-Mart site at Florida Avenue and Gilmore Street will improve was a question left unanswered during a sometimes contentious hearing before the Hemet City Council on Tues-day, but what was not left in doubt was the fate of the conditional use permit Wal-Mart took on the property in anticipation of converting it to a Sam’s Club.
In a 3-2 vote, the council denied the company’s request to extend the conditional use permit while the company seeks a buyer for the land.
During the discussion, several members of the council took San Bernardino attorney Alicen Clark Wong to task for the condition of the property.
“We have a public wondering what’s going on,” Councilwoman Robin Lowe told Wong. “It’s a vacant, unkempt building. I think it’s disrespectful to the people of this community.”
Wong acknowledged that Wal-Mart cut off utilities to the building and the surrounding parking lot after opening a Wal-Mart Supercenter at Sanderson and Stetson avenues.
The company indicated an interest in converting the building to a Sam’s Club, another Wal-Mart operation, but decided against it when the housing crunch brought the economic slowdown.
Councilman Brian Christie, who voted to extend the conditional use permit issued for the Sam’s Club project and against turning down the extension, asked Wong whether she could promise the city the company would provide maintenance and secure the building if the conditional use permit were extended.
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Topics: Community Impact | Environment | Traffic/Sprawl |
Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Permalink
Hudson, FL. Residents Debate Traffic Options
Extra Turn Proposed For Hudson Wal-Mart [The Suncoast News (Fla.)]
Traffic dramatically increased on Beacon Woods Drive shortly after the Wal-Mart Supercenter opened, so Pasco County officials are considering an additional left-turn lane into a parking lot entrance for the store.
Not so fast, says Bob Ryan, president of the Beacon Woods Civic Association board. He wants to wait for results from a third traffic count. Ryan wants to know what the traffic volume is once seasonal residents head home.
With the road alignment as it is now, drivers must use the retail complex’s entrance on U.S. 19 to get into the Wal-Mart parking lot.
One of the compromises demanded by Beacon Woods residents when the county was reviewing plans for the store was a right-turn-only exit from the parking lot onto Beacon Woods Drive. There is no secondary entrance from Beacon Woods Drive into Wal-Mart, unlike the Kmart property on the other side of Beacon Woods Drive.
The Pasco County traffic operations division counted the number of cars on five area streets before and after the March 7 opening of the Hudson Wal-Mart.
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Topics: Traffic/Sprawl |
Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Permalink
Zionsville, IN. Says “NO” to Wal-Mart
Zionsville planners nix Wal-Mart [Indianapolis Star (Ind.)]
Wal-Mart might not be coming to Zionsville after all.
The Zionsville Plan Commission on Monday unanimously rejected Wal-Mart’s plan to build a 185,000-square-foot superstore at 11000 Michigan Road, citing traffic, drainage and crime issues.
AdvertisementThe decision comes two years after the board denied the retail giant’s petition, setting off a legal battle. Wal-Mart spokesman Jason Wetzel said he was surprised and disappointed by Monday’s decision but refused to say whether further legal action would be considered.
Some Zionsville officials and many residents didn’t want Wal-Mart in Zionsville, saying the big box store didn’t fit the character of the village. But some residents said they would welcome the convenience of the store.
Topics: Community Impact | Zoning Regulations |
Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 | Permalink
