LOCAL NEWS
Gilbert Area Fights Plans for Wal-Mart
By Edythe Jensen
The Arizona Republic
10 /12/02

GILBERT - Plans to build a Wal-Mart southeast of Warner and Gilbert roads violate town land-use guidelines that prohibit grocery stores, drugstores, drive-in restaurants and tire sales around the town's Municipal Center, Planner James Cronk said.
Wal-Mart's zoning application and site plan, made public Friday, includes a prototype 181,934-square-foot store, more than four times the size of the 45,400-square foot Municipal Center.
The plan also shows two other large, unnamed retailers and several smaller stores and fast-food restaurants covering 40 acres north and east of the Municipal Center.
In a letter to the landowner's representative, Cronk said Wal-Mart must either seek zoning changes, ask for a new interpretation of existing rules, or change the plan to meet current guidelines.
"Without resolution/correction of this land use issue, the current application cannot proceed," the letter said.
Wal-Mart representatives were unavailable for comment Friday.
Last month, Wal-Mart sent out pamphlets to about 35,000 residents that touted $500,000 a year in municipal sales tax revenue and 500 new jobs if the store is built. But some aren't sold.
"This just blows me away," said resident Doug Kock, 38, who opposes the site plan. "It's like Wal-Mart is flexing its muscles and saying 'to heck with you all.' "
Wal-Mart's building and lot designs also appear to be in conflict with town rules, Cronk said, but the Design Review Board will take up that issue separately.
Several nearby areas fighting the plan have a Web site: www.oocities.org/nodowntownwalmart.
More than two years ago, some of the same residents successfully fought against a Wal-Mart less than a mile away at Lindsay and Warner roads. An Albertson's has since been built there.
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http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/1012evgwalmart12.html

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