Vote on Wal-Mart due Wednesday.

Byline: Karen McCowan The Register-Guard

COTTAGE GROVE - The planning commission will meet in a special session Wednesday night to vote on a Wal-Mart proposal to double the size of its store here into a 160,000-square-foot Supercenter.

This meeting follows nearly 10 hours of fervent testimony both for and against the plan over three nights of public hearings that drew overflow crowds. But there isn't much suspense over Wednesday's outcome: The commission voted unanimously Wednesday to direct the city staff to draft "findings for denial" based on four perceived problem areas.

Those included staff and commission opinions that the proposed expansion would change the character of the Row River Road neighborhood; that it would not conform with the city's comprehensive plan and zoning code; that it would expand the retail giant into an area not previously contemplated; and that it would dedicate two land parcels adjoining the current Wal-Mart site as parking lots rather than the roadside buffer of smaller, tourist-commercial businesses.

That buffer was a condition of city approval for Wal-Mart's current store in 1995. Opponents of expansion say the recent renovation of the nearby Village Green Hotel makes the timing right for development of other tourism-related businesses on the lots.

The planning commission's Wednesday directive cheered Wal-Mart expansion opponents such as small-business owner Mary Koepfle.

"I think the planning commission has listened to the community," said Koepfle, who spoke out against the expansion after what she described as Wal-Mart's "targeting" of her successful local feed store by stocking horse feed and other products that Wal-Mart does not typically carry.

"Most people here feel that a superstore does not fit the feeling and the look and the historical atmosphere of our small town," she said.

But the commission's directive disappointed Wal-Mart officials and superstore supporters - including some 4,000 customers and employees who have reportedly signed petitions or mailed postcards urging expansion approval.

Many who testified in favor cited the need for the cheaper groceries Wal-Mart's application says the expanded store could deliver.

Opponents have disputed Wal-Mart's claim of 20 percent to 28 percent lower grocery prices, and charged that its wage and benefit practices have helped create a growing underclass of working poor.

Corporation spokeswoman Jennifer Holder said that Wal-Mart has a strong investment in Cottage Grove and that it intends to challenge the planning commission recommendation to the City Council.

"In 12 years, we've worked hard to be an established community partner that provides local jobs, shopping choices and works alongside many local organizations," she said in a written statement. "Our associates are residents, voters and community volunteers."

She called the expansion plan "the direct result of comments by thousands of customers."

Holder also took issue with the reasons for denial identified by the commission.

"None of their discussion revolved around traffic, which was the reason for the footprint limitation in the first place in 1994," she said. "In fact, they indicated they thought traffic was fine."

She also disputed the city staff's contention that Wal-Mart could meet the community need for lower-cost food simply by adding grocery space within the 105,000-square-foot limitation of the city's original approval.

"We've presented a tremendous amount of information demonstrating that Wal-Mart can fulfill a clear public need in Cottage Grove with an expanded, renovated store that includes more grocery choices in the local market," she said. "The concept of adding groceries came directly from our many customers who currently travel to other communities to shop for lower-priced items."

WAL-MART DECISION

The Cottage Grove Planning Commission meets in special session to vote on the retail giant's expansion request

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

Where: City Hall, 400 E. Main St.

What's next: Wal-Mart can appeal the commission's recommendation to the City Council. The soonest that's likely to happen is March 26.