Walmart Decision Delayed

FOR THE RECORD: This story incorrectly reported that no public comment would be taken during a hearing March 15 on a proposed Walmart at Coors and Montaño. In fact, comment will be allowed at the Environmental Planning Commission hearing, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council chambers. Incorrect information was provided to the Journal.

Company officials and the public will have to wait at least 60 days to learn the fate of a proposed Walmart on Coors and Montaño.

Developers made their case to the city’s Environmental Planning Commission on Thursday during a 10-hour meeting that went until 1 a.m. Friday because more than 132 signed up to speak.

The company wants to build a 98,900-square-foot store on the southeast corner of the intersection.

	Meeting set The Environmental Planning Commission will reconsider the Walmart request at 8:30 a.m. March 15 in the City Council chambers.

Commissioners voted to postpone the item for 60 days, after allowing everyone on the list to have their turn at the microphone.

Deborah Nason, spokeswoman for the city’s Planning Department, said commissioners will not take any more public comment and will use the next two months to review the information they have received. They will reconsider the matter at 8:30 a.m. March 15 in the City Council chambers. She added that while some parts of the proposed plan may be tweaked, it will not look that different.

The majority of speakers were against the proposal, and several audience members were wearing neon green T-shirts with “No Big Box” sprawled across the front. Although the reasons for opposition varied, all agreed that building a Walmart of that size would snarl traffic, increase crime in the area and ruin the tranquility of the bosque.

In addition, Commissioner Jonathan Siegel questioned whether proposed access to the store met current zoning regulations, and Ron Garcia said he was “very concerned about traffic.”

Walmart has said the store would not increase traffic because its customers would be from neighboring areas, not other parts of the city. The company also has pledged to build a store that blends in with the area and includes a patio and a pedestrian-friendly site.

“From temporary jobs for construction to long-term jobs and career opportunities for associates, it will create good, quality jobs and help our local economy grow,” according to a Walmart statement. “Walmart is deeply invested in our communities.”

The West Side Chamber of Commerce wrote a letter to the commission supporting the project, saying it would create “badly needed jobs.” The company also presented a petition with 5,300 signatures favoring the site.

Missing from the night’s meeting was expressed opposition from the nearby Bosque School, which has been one of the most outspoken critics of the plan. Although dozens of students and parents from the school did speak, they had essentially been prohibited from doing so on behalf of the school.

The school sent out a letter to families Wednesday explaining its position.

“The developer has raised concerns about Bosque School’s position based upon a 2005 purchase agreement between it and Bosque School,” it states. “We are concerned that if we do not withdraw from our position, we will end up in costly litigation. This is a risk the school cannot afford to take.”

The Journal requested a copy of the purchase agreement, but the school would not provide it. Marisa Gay, the school’s spokeswoman, said the school’s attorneys were still reviewing the matter.