Document text
52 °F Forecast | Road Cams Sunday, May 9, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend April 16, 2004 Janet Stang of Central Point pauses during a needlework project Thursday night to clap in favor of Wal-Mart coming to the city. Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Wal-Mart Supercenter plan denied Central Point City Council unanimously rejects proposal after hearing hours of public testimony By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — No. After a nearly five-hour meeting Thursday night, the City Council unanimously voted down Wal-Mart’s proposed supercenter. That will not be the end of the process, however, as Wal-Mart representatives said the company will take their case for the 207,000-square-foot store to the state Land Use Board of Appeals. There is a 21-day period for an appeal to be made to LUBA. Convened before a packed Crater High School student center, the council passed an ordinance that essentially approved the denial of the project — which had been planned for the corner of East Pine Street and Hamrick Road. Advertisement The parcel is owned by Naumes Properties. Robert Boggess, property manager for Naumes, said the rejection of Wal-Mart was expected. "This is the same City Council that tried to pass an emergency big-box ordinance," last fall to stop Wal-Mart, Boggess said. "I think a thorough review of the record and the City Council decision will reveal whether there’s a basis for the case to be addressed by LUBA," he added. Tom Humphrey, the city’s community development director, said the council made the proper decision. "I’m very relieved and very encouraged that the council listened to the citizens of Central Point," he said. Council deliberation began at 11:05 p.m., with members saying they were concerned about the amount of citizen opposition and the confusion over zoning regulations. Humphrey gave his final recommendation that the council deny the application, based on it not fitting with city planning goals. "We’ve been at this process for a long time now. I think it’s clear that the citizens of Central Point are concerned about their community as are you," he told the council. "It can be argued either way that this is within the legal box (size), or outside the legal box. I think you have the opportunity as a City Council, (one) which was not given the planning commission, to arrive at decisions relative to interpretation." The meeting began at 7 p.m. and ran late into the night, as extensive project background information and nearly two hours of public testimony preceded the scheduled vote. The setting was one that has become all-to-familiar in recent months with a dozen residents speaking on behalf of the proposal and nearly double that number speaking against. Those in favor included residents who wanted to see an increase in jobs and tax base; seniors who wanted the convenience of "one-stop" shopping; and Wal-Mart employees on hand to dispute claims their employer paid low wages, did not provide insurance and did not support communities. Those against the proposal more often went beyond allotted time, sensing their final chance to appeal the project. Central Point resident Becca Croft, representing the citizens group Central Point First, said the project was not in keeping with plans approved in 1999 for a community shopping center at the site and called for uses not allowed in C4 zoning, such as tire services and outdoor garden sales. Croft voiced frustration that — despite a significant voice of opposition over the project by citizens — the project’s approval by the Planning Commission in recent weeks served as proof "they just didn’t get it!" While review of a project by the City Council is ordinarily called in the event of an appeal of a Planning Commission decision, city officials called for automatic review of the project. The project was struck down in March by a Citizens Advisory Committee, which decided the project was not a good match for the community based on input by citizens. The following day, Central Point Planning Commission members deemed the project was a permitted use. Portland attorney Greg Hathoway, who presented the project on behalf of Wal-Mart, said it was his opinion the Planning Commission decision was based on city planning guidelines and facts. Hathoway also told the council Thursday night he suspected there were "members of the planning department that may have their own personal opinions," and encouraged the council to remain objective and give Wal-Mart a chance to be an involved business in the community. "The disadvantage that the Citizens Advisory Committee had was they didn’t get to hear the facts or our formal presentation," he said. "The Planning Commission decision was a very thoughtful decision. That clearly was within the laws of the city. That’s all we’re asking the City Council." Buffy Pollock is a free-lance writer living in Medford. E-mail her at [email protected]. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times