Friend or foe? Wal-Mart alters Utah landscape

But more than a year later, Zitting said her complaints vanished when she learned how to compromise with the retailer.

"Until it all unfolded we didn't realize how accommodating the developers had been," Zitting said. "We don't feel intruded on."

Two of Zitting's major concerns were mitigated by talking with Wal-Mart representatives about putting a fence around the store's garbage dumps and installing parking lights away from residences.

Draper City Manager Eric Keck said the city solved its initial qualms about the retailer through open and ongoing discussions. But he noted local grocery stores have seen a decrease in business since the retailer moved in.

Smith's suffered the most, losing nearly 30 percent of its market share, Keck said.

"I was expecting worse. You read a lot about Wal-Mart and how they just throw their weight around," Keck said. "But they bent over backward for every concern that we raised about the building fitting into the hillside."

That spirit of compromise forged a good relationship between residents and Wal-Mart, said Bill Rappleye, CEO of the Draper Chamber of Commerce. Since moving in, the retailer has donated more than $1,000 to local arts in Draper and has put Wal-Mart representatives on the city's Chamber Board.

Deseret Morning News graphic Timeline of the Wal-Mart land dispute Requires Adobe Acrobat.

"If they just come in and reap all the benefits and five years down the road close their store and walk away with bags full of money, I don't think any citizens want to see that happen," Rappleye said. "It's important for businesses to put down their roots and get involved with the community."