Article Contributed on: 2/5/2007 5:34:18 PM
I feel well-educated about the Wal-Mart zoning request after attending almost all the meetings. With hundreds against Wal-Mart at most meetings it was surprising to see only the handful at the "answer" session from Wal-Mart. The attorney for Wal-Mart was articulate and knowledgeable offering solutions to just about every argument against.
Yet attendance from "nay sayers" was incredibly minimal. Since the change of zoning has been approved, the residents of Littleton need to understand that future stores will not do the improvements to the land and conscientious changes made to satisfy the populous. The following is a list of changes made by Wal-Mart and land improvements as observed from actually listening to Wal-Mart.
1). Huge setbacks on the West as a buffer to Wolhurst Landing.
2). 10 foot walls around the periphery except for Santa Fe frontage.
3). Proposed retention pond (to the west) to absorb pollution and three level vegetation planting to attract more wildlife, aid in pollution control, runoff, and supply larger buffer to the South Platte walkway.
4). Lowest lighting levels that Wal-Mart has ever installed in order to have no light "pollution" or light spillover into residential neighborhoods.
5). Flat and painted roof in order to be more cosmetically palatable to those living above on Jackass Hill.
6). Architecturally more interesting in order to appear more like small stores/Aspen Grove. Smaller signage than normal.
7). Removal altogether of the tire center.
8). Flipping of the whole building in order to satisfy the planning department.
9). Interior trash collection with trash compactors. NO EXTERIOR DUMPSTERS.
10). Environmentally friendly building advancements. Example - Computer controlled lighting used in conjunction with numerous skylights to be installed.
The Littleton Against Wal-Mart group met Wednesday, Jan. 31 at Bemis Library. Council member
Rebecca Kast spoke about other properties that are more concerning that are on the books for development and that threaten the South Platte Park more than this parcel. In addition, a representative from the local Grocers Union spoke against the Wal-Mart. Littleton Against Wal-Mart is considering a name change while they signature gather for a referendum possibly paying as much as $18,000 to a professional group to guarantee the securing of the needed signatures.
While it is interesting to watch this process I feel the efforts to stop development are not in the best interests of the City of Littleton and many other developments to come to south Santa Fe.