MICHIGAN SITE FIGHT: HASTINGS-AREA WAL-MART DRAWS CLOSER

Hastings-area Wal-Mart draws closer [Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press]

RUTLAND TOWNSHIP—A conditional rezoning request clearing the way for a Wal-Mart superstore was approved on first reading Wednesday, with the Township Board agreeing with its Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Accepting the recommendation on first reading means “conceptually you agree to it,” said Township Supervisor Jim Carr. “It’s not effective until after the second reading, plus eight days after that to give (the public) time for a referendum.”

If there is no referendum, the rezoning goes into effect, Carr said. The second reading will take place at the Aug. 8 board meeting.

Hastings-area Wal-Mart draws closer [Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press]

RUTLAND TOWNSHIP—A conditional rezoning request clearing the way for a Wal-Mart superstore was approved on first reading Wednesday, with the Township Board agreeing with its Planning Commission’s recommendation.

Accepting the recommendation on first reading means “conceptually you agree to it,” said Township Supervisor Jim Carr. “It’s not effective until after the second reading, plus eight days after that to give (the public) time for a referendum.”

If there is no referendum, the rezoning goes into effect, Carr said. The second reading will take place at the Aug. 8 board meeting.

Partial rezoning

Wal-Mart requested a 24-acre parcel under option at 1505 W. Green St., near Hastings, be rezoned to C-3 general business; commissioners recommended rezoning only the C-4 portion to C-3. Smaller C-1 and C-2 zoned parcels at the site are to be used for driveways and retention ponds, which are permitted uses in those zones.

If the rezoning goes into effect, the Planning Commission still will need to consider approval of a site plan for the 176,311-square-foot store, and a special use permit request for an outdoor center.

“If it all goes smoothly, and all the permits are issued in August or September, it takes from nine to 12 months to build a store, so it could be open in early spring of 2009,” said Nick Infante, senior manager of public affairs for Wal-Mart.

Mixed-use zoning stalled

The first request by Wal-Mart for mixed-use zoning was withdrawn because legal issues with the ordinance delayed consideration of its request. The retail giant instead asked for a straight rezoning.

Critics maintain a superstore would bring dangerous levels of traffic, change the small-town atmosphere and adversely affect local businesses. Others say Wal-Mart’s low prices and hundreds of jobs would be welcome.

Posted by Beth Gostanian on Thursday, July 12, 2007

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