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45 °F 5 Day Forecast Sunday, November 30, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | 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 June 29, 2003 Central Point’s new ban won’t stop Wal-Mart By BUFFY POLLOCK for the Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Despite hours of testimony from Central Point residents in favor of a big-box retailer coming to town, City Council members voted Thursday to amend an ordinance that would limit large anchor tenants within community shopping centers to no more than 80,000 square feet. While the decision will not affect an existing application for a 207,000-square-foot Wal-Mart super center at East Pine and Hamrick roads, representatives of property owner Naumes Properties LLC were concerned that the council had decided against what so many citizens seemed to want. "We are grateful that the council recognized that the amendment of the ordinance does not affect the existing application," said Robert Boggess, manager of Naumes Properties. "We’re distressed, however, that with the adoption of the 80,000-square-foot limit, it will discourage other businesses, large and small, from locating within Central Point. "Our view is that the council entirely ignored the public testimony both at the first hearing and the second. We are hopeful that with additional public input, the council will repeal the amendment to the ordinance before Central Point suffers further economic damage." Councilwoman Donna Higginbotham believes the original ordinance should have sufficed to keep out oversized retailers. "We’re too small a town to have a great big overbearing building like that," she said. "The land is really not set out for what they’re proposing." Though she said the council does not have a vendetta against Wal-Mart, "they don’t have to build like they’re in Los Angeles." Central Point resident Don Dwyer was among dozens of seniors who were frustrated by the council’s decision. "I think they made a big mistake," he said. "Nine in 10 of the people who spoke were in favor of Wal-Mart and they didn’t listen. I have an atlas that tells me where all the Wal-Marts are because they’re the only place I can park my RV and because they provide a service that everyone wants. "If the little mom-and-pop shops are worried about competing, maybe they need to lower their prices so people don’t have to drive to Wal-Mart." While most residents who spoke in favor of Wal-Mart were seniors who based their arguments on low prices and convenience, a handful of community members were concerned about the future impact a Wal-Mart could have. They cited recent news that Talent’s Wal-Mart will soon close, leaving the city with a big vacant building. Medford resident Barbara Johnson said the council was smart to stick by community planners who had the interest of the city at heart. "I hope they don’t put one in at all, even if it’s smaller than 80,000 (square feet)," she said. "Why would they work so hard to build all the beautiful subdivisions and encourage higher-class neighborhoods and an educated community ... and then give the town a Wal-Mart?" Johnson said her big concerns with the retailer were reports of paying low wages, undercutting prices and attracting "substandard housing and lower-class, trash fast-food joints." Boggess said plans for a Wal-Mart were well within the city’s ordinances prior to the change. "We want to assure the residents of Central Point that we are fully committed to siting a Wal-Mart on that property despite the actions or negative message sent out by the City Council," he said. Wal-Mart officials did not return calls Friday. 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 © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times