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California
Santa Maria Halts Work on Wal-Mart Rezoning Request Following Crowded Public Hearing
After a crowded and emotional public hearing, with many of the more than 200 attendees watching the debate on TV monitors in the City Hall corridor, the Santa Maria City Council voted 5-0 to stop staff work on a Wal-Mart request to rezone a 55-acre site from light-industrial to retail use -- which would let the company leave its present store and build a Supercenter nearby -- citing the need to defend small local businesses, revitalize downtown and keep sufficient land for industrial firms offering better wages.
Wal-Mart, reports Santa Maria Times writer Malia Spencer, has also asked the city's planning department to amend its General Plan accordingly and revise an eight-year-old ordinance that limits the amount of groceries and other ''non-taxable'' goods a big-box retailer can sell.
''I think we need to protect the businesses that made Santa Maria the city it is,'' said Councilwoman Alice Patino, voicing the predominant opinion against development at the city edges.
Disappointed Wal-Mart construction regional representative Chris Danos thought the council should wait with its decision until the company completes all required studies and the project goes through the full administrative process. But officials explained that sometimes staffers present early reviews of controversial proposals to help council members decide if they even have an interest in further proceeds, a move which can save time and money both for the city and the applicants. -- Santa Maria Times
11/16/2005
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