Published: Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2009
Atascadero residents will have five chances to talk about Wal-Mart project
Public meetings on environmental effects will begin in September instead of August, as final project details aren’t yet submitted
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closeA series of five public meetings to discuss the environmental impacts of the proposed Wal-Mart project in Atascadero will begin in September.
The meetings, originally slated to begin in August, were delayed Tuesday because Wal-Mart has not yet submitted a final project description to the city.
Mayor Ellen Beraud — who has expressed concern about the project’s size since it was introduced — had hoped to add additional time for public discussion.
“I’m disappointed of course that input of the public is not being honored,” Beraud said of the council’s decision not to add a public meeting.
A handful of Atascadero residents, most of whom were in favor of moving the project forward, asked the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting not to delay the process further by adding additional meetings.
The environmental impact report, expected to take eight months to complete, is the final step before construction of the planned Wal-Mart Supercenter can begin. City staff had hoped to launch that study, being done by Irvine-based Michael Brandman Associates, in August.
The City Council and Planning Commission must first provide the company with alternatives to their preferred project, including a smaller project or no project at all.
In March, Wal-Mart submitted its most recent revision to the project. Originally planned to be 146,507 square feet at Del Rio Road and El Camino Real, it’s now proposed as 157,000 square feet and would include a drive-through pharmacy and a tire and lube express. Two separate restaurant pads totaling 15,000 square feet are also being proposed.
Community Development Director Warren Frace told council members Tuesday that he does not expect the project’s size to change again.
Details such as the total square feet of the project and architectural elements must be finalized before the report can begin, City Manager Wade McKinney said.
The tentative schedule calls for public meetings to be held from early September to the completion of the project’s environmental impact report in spring 2010.
Debate over the Wal-Mart project has been raging for more than two years.
Opponents argue that Wal-Mart will drive smaller stores out of business and devastate the local economy. Supporters say it will bring in much-needed sales tax revenue and permit fees.
“We know that there is a wide range of opinions and emotions. … We have had meetings since 2006 and have gone the extra mile and continue to go the extra mile,” said Councilman Tom O’Malley. “The (environmental impact report) process is how you get answers to your questions.”
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