Council approves zoning change.Byline: Karen McCowan The Register-Guard COTTAGE GROVE Cottage Grove, village (1990 pop. 22,935), Washington co., SE Minn., near the St. Croix River; inc. 1965. There is farming (cattle, sheep, corn, and soybeans) and manufacturing (chemicals and machinery). - In a unanimous vote Monday, the City Council made official its Aug. 13 approval of new zoning rules that would let Wal-Mart super-size its store. As recommended by the city's planning staff See: central planning team. then, the ordinance A law, statute, or regulation enacted by a Municipal Corporation. An ordinance is a law passed by a municipal government. A municipality, such as a city, town, village, or borough, is a political subdivision of a state within which a municipal corporation has been calls for a concession by Wal-Mart in exchange for increasing the maximum size of a "discount retail facility" in the city's commercial tourist zone to 150,000 square feet. The ordinance requires Wal-Mart to complete 30,000 square feet of commercial space for other, smaller businesses along Row River Road before occupying its planned expansion. Under terms of the city's 1994 approval of the current 80,000-square-foot store, the Arkansas-based retailer would have been able to occupy a maximum 105,000 square feet. A Wal-Mart representative attending the meeting had no comment. The company has offered no formal objections to the unusual condition since its attorney, Greg Hathaway, questioned it Aug. 13. Wal-Mart had already offered to make the frontage land, which it owns, available for smaller retail or restaurant development. But the company intended that its expanded store be completed first as a "catalyst" for other retail development, Hathaway said. He said the city's proposed timing could mean empty buildings along the tourist thoroughfare THOROUGHFARE. A street or way so open that one can go through and get out of it without returning. It differs from a cul de sac, (q.v.) which is open only at one end. 2. Whether a street which is not a thoroughfare is a highway, seems not fully settled. . In a telephone interview last week, Wal-Mart spokeswoman Jennifer Holder said the company was "very happy that they voted to approve the store," and added, "we're taking a look at the condition." The City Council is scheduled to take a second and final vote on the zoning ordinance Sept. 10. Once that occurs, the new conditions would become law unless Wal-Mart requests a voter VOTER. One entitled to a vote; an elector. referendum on them within 30 days. Cottage Grove residents who turned out for a series of public hearings on Wal-Mart's proposed expansion were sharply divided over the prospect of a superstore su·per·store n. A very large retail store that stocks highly diversified merchandise, such as groceries, toys, and camera equipment, or a wide variety of mechandise in a specific product line, such as computers or sporting goods. . Some opposed any zoning rule changes to accommodate the discount retailer, citing Wal-Mart's anti-union activities, its pay and benefit policies, and its impact on smaller local businesses. But others argued that the chain's discount groceries gro·cer·y n. pl. gro·cer·ies 1. A store selling foodstuffs and various household supplies. 2. groceries Commodities sold by a grocer. would be a welcome addition to Cottage Grove, particularly for low-income residents. |
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