Proposal for Centerville Wal-Mart draws throng

CENTERVILLE — Residents here may not want a Wal-Mart in their city, but emotions cannot trump city ordinances, and Wal-Mart or any other big-box retailer has a right to make application for a building permit.

So said Brian Hulse, chairman of the Planning Commission, who had his hands full Wednesday night while conducting a public meeting to consider the question of a conceptual site plan for a proposed Super Wal-Mart south of Parrish Lane and east of 400 West, to the east of the SuperTarget store.

Because so many residents attended the meeting, public comment will be taken again April 14 at a larger location, probably a local school. The city will announce the location on its Web site,

Hulse said he understands the frustration of the hundreds of people who filled the council chambers and overflowed into the rest of the City Hall. The issue before the Planning Commission, however, isn't whether people want or even like Wal-Mart but determining whether the proposed development meets city ordinances and whether any negative impacts can be lessened.

A local newspaper, Hulse said, ran a story last week with a headline that said "Centerville to poll public on Wal-Mart site plan," which some residents may have interpreted as meaning the city wanted their opinion on whether the store should be allowed.

"It made it sound like we were taking a vote. People don't understand that our job is to consider the application and determine from an administrative standpoint whether it meets our ordinances," Hulse said.

In the case of the proposed 200,000-square-foot Wal-Mart, the matter for approval is a conditional use permit, which does allow the Planning Commission to delve deeper into the impacts of the project and ask more questions than for a regular building permit.

"A number of people have asked if this is a done deal," Hulse said. "No, it's a conditional use application. We have to put reasonable conditions on the applicant or our decision can't be upheld," said Hulse, a Salt Lake lawyer.

"I don't want people to think that what they say to (city officials) doesn't matter, but just saying they don't want a Wal-Mart is not appropriate," Hulse said. "I understand the frustration people feel when enough of them come to a meeting and say no to something. They feel democracy should rule the day, but it's not what this is about."