New plan, same problems

Walmart: the big-box store everybody loves to hate. Don’t get us wrong, though—we don’t hate Walmart. In fact, we see its value to the community, as it offers the convenience of one-stop shopping as well as low prices. What we don’t see, however, is a reason for the Forest Avenue store to grow.

Let’s look at the big picture, as several concerned Chico residents did last week before the Planning Commission, which met to discuss the draft environmental impact report for the planned expansion (see “Bigger box,” page 10). That expansion includes over 55,000 square feet of added grocery space, a drive-through pharmacy, a full gas station/convenience store and two pads for additional retail and restaurant tenants.

We agree with many of the speakers at last week’s meeting that the mitigation measures proposed regarding traffic are not adequate. More than that, though, we echo their concern for the future of other businesses—and their employees—that would be affected by such an expansion. The draft EIR predicts that “one grocery store could close and some restaurants. The result could be the equivalent of up to 80,000 square feet of vacant space ….”

In our minds, that’s not insignificant.

The last time Walmart proposed an expansion, concerned citizens and conscientious City Council members stood up against the retail giant and argued that the benefits of added jobs and sales tax revenues did not outweigh the negatives of traffic impacts and store closures. Those impacts haven’t changed; the expansion is just being presented in a prettier package.