One current hot topic is the impending development of a Walmart on Old Forest Road.  Let me first make it clear that no action by Council is necessary for this development to take place since the proper zoning already exists.  Walmart has a legal right to develop that piece of property and Council has no control over that fact.

  Although the Walmart can go in by right, there are issues that this project generates that are reminiscent of a discussion that I began last year when we debated the Lakeside development.  At that time, I asked City staff to research the possibility that we could adopt a "big box ordinance" that would require certain types of developments to secure conditional use permits.  That would allow Council to influence major projects that create significant impacts on the City.  I believe that such an ordinance is necessary and wise.  Large developments often create infrastructure in a way that small developments do not.  We must, as a community, plan for our best future and consider aesthetic needs, traffic impacts and environmental protection.  For these reasons, I spearheaded the effort to generate a big box ordinance, and that effort continues.  I do not, however, want to rush into creating such an ordinance and then end up with a bad law that puts a drag on development.  We need a law that clearly defines for developers what we want to see in big box projects so that there is no mystery and only predictable risk.  If the developers meet our expectations, they should be able to proceed without delay.  If they do not meet those expectations, however, then a conditional use permit, complete with public hearing, should be required.  I believe that we can draft a state-of-the-art ordinance of this type, and I don't want to rush that process simply because Walmart is currently doing what they have the legal right to do.

  Back to Old Forest Road.  We will have traffic issues to deal with in this corridor, and I will continually remind staff of that concern.  Walmart will be rehabilitating an abandoned structure, however, and satisfying demonstrated consumer demand.  I don't believe that this project is a bad one, and I hope that Walmart will continue to work with City staff to produce the best possible project.