Heber City, UT. Wal-Mart Debate Goes to a Vote

Voters to decide if Wal-Mart will be welcome [Salt Lake Tribune]

To Wal-Mart or not to Wal-Mart? That’s the conundrum.

Although the Nov. 6 ballot in Heber City will ask voters whether a new zone should be created to allow big-box retail stores of up to 150,000 square feet, in essence it’s a vote for or against a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The Salt Lake City-based Boyer Company development firm, along with the big-box, cut-rate retailer, has proposed a multifaceted project called “Heber City Crossing” near the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and State Route 189 at Heber City’s south end.

As proposed, it also would include small retail shops and housing.

With election day nearing, the back-and-forth rhetoric is about as hot as it gets in this fast-growing Wasatch County mountain town southeast of Park City.

Strong feelings on either side burn up the “Letters” section in the local newspaper, The Wasatch Wave:
“Support Wal-Mart,” says one.
“Just Say No,” says another.
“Lower Taxes In Heber,” a billboard screams. “Vote yes” for Proposition 1.
“Predatory pricing. Increase in crime. Hurts local business,” says the Web site for a group called Put Heber Valley First. “Vote no” on Proposition 1.

The outcome is anyone’s guess. Most residents say the vote will be close. “I don’t want it,” said Ray Savage. “It’ll put these other guys out of business.”
“I would like it,” said Kim Burnett. “We’d have some place to go shopping so we wouldn’t have to drive to Park City.”

As Heber City residents, Savage and Burnett will have a say. But Wasatch County residents living outside the city limits can only watch, even though the outcome will impact them, too.

“I think I would like a Wal-Mart. I’d shop there,” said Tracy Turner. “I go to the Park City Wal-Mart and sometimes to the one in Provo. But I don’t get to vote.”

A Wal-Mart Supercenter could hurt Heber City’s small-town flavor, said Judy Eddins. She can’t vote either.

“I just think it will hurt small business,” she said. “Not to say that I wouldn’t end up shopping there if it comes.”

The big-box tug-of-war in Heber City goes back several years.

The City Council commissioned a study in 2005 that found, among other things, that Wasatch County residents were spending money on merchandise in Summit and Utah counties, resulting in lost sales-tax revenues for Heber City.

Heber City also retained Dan Jones to poll residents on big boxes. A survey of 463 Heber Valley residents showed a solid majority would limit retail outlets to 75,000 square feet. About half of those polled live outside of the city and won’t be able to vote on the issue.

In June 2005, the council voted to limit retail structures to 60,000 square feet.

But in February, after Heber City entered discussions with Boyer, the council changed the ordinance to allow retail outlets of 150,000 square feet. That set the stage for a Wal-Mart Supercenter that would include grocery sales.

A citizens group, Put Heber Valley First, cried foul and launched a petition drive to put the ordinance to the voters.

Ken McConnell, a member of Put Heber Valley First, said zoning for big boxes needs more study.

Wal-Mart is known for its “predatory” pricing, low salaries and increases in traffic and crime, he said, adding that it takes more out of a community than it puts in.

“The choice should not be Wal-Mart or nothing. People want more retail shopping,” McConnell said. “Instead of one store fits all, let’s put together a task force and seek out [other] stores.”

But proponents say Wal-Mart is the only big-box retailer willing to come to Wasatch County and is a good fit for the community. Moreover, Heber City needs to capture sales-tax dollars in order not to raise taxes.

Full-page ads in the local newspaper tout the proposed Heber City Crossing as more than just a big-box development:

“The Boyer Company pride themselves on going to great lengths to maintain and enhance the local aesthetics of the towns they develop for,” the ad reads. “Heber City will be no exception.”