OK for Centerville Wal-Mart near

CENTERVILLE — Although Wal-Mart's final stamp of approval is near, many residents in this Davis County city continue to fight with everything they have.

Centerville Citizens First took out a full-page ad in the Davis County Clipper accusing Wal-Mart of threatening this growing city's small-town atmosphere. The group is preparing for battle at a Wednesday planning commission meeting at which city planners are expected to approve conceptual site plans for the new Wal-Mart.

"Wal-Mart has a tendency of leaving their old stores and moving to new locations," said Wal-Mart critic and Centerville resident George Fisher. "It's like a snake shedding its skin."

Members of the public are welcome to attend the 7 p.m. planning commission meeting, but comments will not be taken. The next chance to speak for or against Wal-Mart will be sometime early next year after the big-box retailer presents its final proposal to the planning commission.

Community Development Director Cory Snyder said the planning commission will make decisions regarding parking, security, lighting and aesthetics at Wednesday's meeting.

"With something as controversial as this, there will likely be changes," Snyder said.

The planning commission had to come up with new conditions for approval of the site after the City Council in November voted to reverse earlier planning decisions that moved the project forward.

Pleasant View resident David Putnam filed a complaint in 2nd District Court to block Wal-Mart from Centerville and is considering filing a lawsuit against the city.

Wal-Mart has been the talk of the town since March, when the big-box retailer first approached the city about placing a store at 400 West and Parrish Lane. That location already has fast-food restaurants, a Home Depot, Super Target and other retail stores.

City leaders say the retail giant will bring 400 jobs to the area and as much as $800,000 a year in tax revenue. Mayor Michael Deamer said the site where Wal-Mart wants to build has been zoned for large business use for more than 25 years, and that the city doesn't need the revenue the store would bring.

Deamer said he is opposed to building a Wal-Mart in Centerville. In city newsletters and local media reports, Deamer has said that the big-box retailer changes the small-town aura Centerville is proud of.

Opponents now wish they would have fought back like those in Sandy who filed a petition for a referendum to change zoning laws to block a Wal-Mart at a city gravel pit.

"We're getting a painful education," Fisher said. "Fortunately the Sandy people can do something that we did not know we could have done."

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com