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Wal-Mart proposal moves to Orange supervisors
Wal-Mart hearing eyed for late summer; Orange planners negotiate particulars of proposed retail center
Date published: 6/27/2009
BY CLINT SCHEMMER Orange County supervisors are likely to hear the public's views on the Wal-Mart retail center proposed for the Wilderness battlefield area late next month or in early August. County Administrator William C. Rolfe said yesterday that July 23 and Aug. 4 are tentative dates he has proposed for the public hearing on the issue before the Board of Supervisors. Rolfe said he anticipates that the board will set the hearing date at its next meeting, on Tuesday. The auditorium at Orange County High School needs to be reserved and legal advertising requirements must be met. Based on a recent conversation with board Chairman Lee Frame, Rolfe said, he doesn't believe supervisors will decide the matter the night of the hearing, preferring to have more time to fully consider the testimony. The county Planning Com-mission endorsed the retail development Thursday night, voting 5-4 to recommend it to the supervisors with certain conditions. Those conditions, which were negotiated with Wal-Mart by Orange's planning staff and legal counsel, attempt to nail down important details of the 236,000 -square-foot retail center proposed by JDC Ventures The 51.6-acre tract at Routes 3 and 20 is zoned for commercial use, but under the county's "big-box" ordinance, the landowner must be granted a special-use permit to build a store larger than 60,000 square feet. The proposal has generated national controversy over its impact to the Wilderness battlefield where Gens. Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant's forces first clashed in May 1864. Foes say the issue is not Wal-Mart, but the retail center's location--a quarter-mile from Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park--and the traffic and additional development it would foster. The Planning Commission's 11 conditions cover the Wal-Mart's architecture and exterior appearance, the timing of road construction, security issues, off-site transportation improvements, buffers and landscaping, signs and historical displays. Additionally, at the urging of Commissioner Nigel Goodwin, the panel approved a resolution urging resolution of three issues:
Date published: 6/27/2009
BTW
(posted by
wideopenspace
, June 27, 2009 1:28 pm)
Last I heard it was 3-1 in favor, those against Wal-Mart need 2 to change their mind if the 5th vote is in favor. OC would be dumb to tell Wal-Mart no due to the site concerns considering we have lost a bunch of industry in the last year. Wal-Mart will pack up and leave. OC is already in terrible shape with all the industry tax base that is now gone, we the people will be burdened with much higher taxes to make up for the loss of several large industries that have moved out or closed down.
Navy, if they are smart
(posted by
wideopenspace
, June 27, 2009 1:23 pm)
they will decide it behind closed doors so as not to have a riot break out by the preservationists who will get all pissy if they approve Wal-Mart. Talking with Mr. Frame, he is very wise and will not allow a vote to happen the same night as the public hearing/comments. If Johnson were still chair, they would vote the same night for certain. Doesn't really matter when the vote is or whether the public is there or not, the vote will stand no matter how many people cry foul afterwards.
Skeptical....
(posted by
navyorchid
, June 27, 2009 10:49 am)
I wonder if the statement "Based on a recent conversation with board Chairman Lee Frame, Rolfe said, he doesn't believe supervisors will decide the matter the night of the hearing, preferring to have more time to fully consider the testimony. " was made to throw people off so no one shows up to the meeting when they make the decision!
=)
(posted by
INeedRights2
, June 27, 2009 8:38 am)
I love America
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