Westminster – Early this morning the Westminster City Council overwhelmingly approved a preliminary plan for a Super Wal-Mart, but some residents pledged to gather petitions aimed at persuading councilmembers to reverse their vote, or to call for a citywide election.
Hundreds of residents attended last night’s six-hour meeting to protest the store at the corner of 72nd and Sheridan.
The retail giant wants to redevelop an old shopping center at W. 72nd Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard, that’s been in decline for years. Opponents are worried about an increase in neighborhood traffic.
Wal-Mart contends its store would bring 450 new jobs and $1.5 million in tax revenue.
“It does mean jobs, it does mean tax revenue, it does mean more city services and redevelopment of a 20-year-old shopping center,” said Mike Ciletti, a Wal-Mart consultant.
“We’re going to get 6,400 signatures on a petition to block the store,” said resident Mark Kaiser, in a statement. Kaiser is a leader of an anti-Wal-Mart citizen’s group.
“Wal-Mart already has the Westminster City Council it its pocket,” said Kaiser. “Since the city council refuses to follow the will of the people, we will take the Wal-Mart issue directly to the people,” he said.
The store would be the city’s third Wal-Mart. A final vote by the council is expected on July 11.
