SARATOGA SPRINGS — Wal-Mart is on its way to the heart of Saratoga Springs after City Council members this week voted unanimously in favor of the big-box retailer's site plan.

A meeting Tuesday was the second of three public hearings to discuss Wal-Mart's presence on the corner of Redwood Road and U-73 — but only three people from the community of Saratoga Springs came to voice concerns about the site plan.

Brett Houghton, owner of American Car Care Centers; Jeff Simonsen, owner of a car wash next to the car care center; and Vaughn Mayo, owner of a proposed shopping center in Saratoga Springs that will have a car shop, had the same complaint — they are letting Wal-Mart do what others can't.

"If the city does allow (Wal-Mart to have an auto center), what does that do to the future?" Simonsen said.

"They're not going to have any legs to stand on if a Sears wants to go next door."

Houghton, Simonsen and Mayo all said they expressed interest in locating their businesses near the proposed Wal-Mart site — called the "gateway" area — but were denied by city staff because auto shops are a "dirty business," Mayo said.

According to city code as explained to Houghton, auto businesses are not to locate within a half mile of the area.

"We look at this as big-box retail, we don't look at every little part," said Saratoga Springs Mayor Timothy Parker. "Do they have a tire store? They probably do. But the question is, 'Is Wal-Mart allowed in the gateway?' And I think the answer is yes."

Houghton said it is unfair for the city to make an exception for a big-box retailer, and that it is likely that other major car centers will now try to locate nearby.

"If the gateway is breached, it opens a legal door," Houghton said. "They've just opened up the door to let anybody and their dog walk in."

Houghton has repeatedly voiced his concerns about a store with an auto center locating in the area but the conflict was only discussed briefly during the hearing on Tuesday. The council discussed lighting, site layout and pavement types for a majority of the meeting.

The final public hearing will take place when Wal-Mart presents a preliminary plat proposal to the planning commission. The presentation has not yet been scheduled.

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