CLEARLAKE ? The process for the proposed Wal-Mart expansion project began Tuesday with a scoping meeting to assist in defining the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The most significant concern presented by the public was a need to include an economic impact analysis.
City Administrator Dale Neiman said that economic analysis is not a subject for the EIR; however, an analysis can be included separately. Staff was directed to include an economic analysis in relation to the project.
The expansion project consists of the addition of approximately 38,784 square feet. The EIR will analyze additional square footage at 40,000 square feet, which is approximately three percent greater than the anticipated expansion.
The expansion will provide additional area for food and general merchandise sales, food sales and support area, stockroom/receiving area, ancillary space and food tenant space. It will also provide for an additional vestibule for a total of two vestibules and two additional loading docks for a total of four loading docks.
According the city staff, the project will result in the removal of the Tire and Lube Express area and relocation of the garden center.
A primary concern expressed by several who spoke during Tuesday”s meeting was for the economic impacts the expansion will have on the community.
Consensus of those speaking was that the expansion would likely be detrimental to the financial state of other businesses, future and present.
Rick Stewart, who identified himself as a former planning commission in the town of Willows where he said a Wal-Mart project had negative impacts on the community, urged the commission to study the economic impacts of project. “In a previous application they referred to job (creation). It”s going to come by displacing people at other grocery stores,” he said. “If you are a one store town, people are going to leave your community.”
Former First District Supervisor Ed Robey agreed. “I read the staff report too and I noticed the absence of an economic study and I think it”s essential that you include that. An EIR in a city has a lot to do with business and economics,” he said. “There would be an equal or greater amount of jobs lost at Foods, Etc. and Ray”s.”
Foods, Etc. Owner Dennis Darling commended the commission and the city for requiring a full EIR for the expansion project. He also encouraged the commission to include an economic study. In the few comments that Darling offered he stated that although Wal-Mart may currently be largest employer in the world, it also a large supplier of “dark buildings,” or unoccupied facilities.
Property owner Barry Parkinson questioned the potential for future growth and business recruitment should Wal-Mart be allowed to expand. “What”s it going to do to other development when you have one project controlling the market?” he asked.
Citizen Estella Creel questioned Wal-Mart”s work practices and its efforts to monopolize the market. “All they do is bring jobs that allow people to stay on public assistance,” she said.. “They monopolize the market and the prices go up.”
Ted Dunn, who said that he has worked in infrastructure development across the nation for the past 25 years, said he thinks that the expansion is a good idea. “Wal-Mart is the most prodigious creator of jobs in the private sector,” he said. “I think we are blessed that they want to expand here.”
The public review period concerning the Draft EIR is April 2 through May 4, during which time members of the public are invited to submit oral or written comments on the scope of the document.
Documents pertaining to the item are available for public review during regular business hours at Clearlake City Hall .
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
