Commission talks Walmart

The Chico Planning Commission will hold a public hearing tonight (Thursday, July 21) to discuss the draft environmental impact report for the proposed expansion of the Forest Avenue Walmart. The project includes adding grocery aisles, a drive-thru pharmacy and a pickup service area to the existing store, as well as two new standalone retail/restaurant buildings and a gas station.

The draft EIR was released last month and is in the midst of a 45-day public comment period set to end Aug. 1. A group of citizens opposed to the expansion has geared up and started an online petition at change.org that calls for stopping the project. Thursday evening’s meeting is meant to gather Chico residents’ input on the adequacy of the document, not the merits of the project, according to the Planning Commission agenda. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers.