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Locals gather at Carnegie Forum on Wednesday night at the Planning Commission meeting. One of the main topics discussed was the proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter. (Whitney Ramirez/News-Sentinel)

Supercenter gets some support

Some stand behind Wal-Mart's plans during the Lodi Planning Commission meeting; early redevelopment boundaries OK'd; subdivision decision delayed; Ocean's license approved

By Chris Nichols
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Thursday, November 15, 2007 6:29 AM PST

Comments (40 comment(s))

Wearing bright blue Wal-Mart stickers on their chests, roughly three dozen residents showed support for a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter during last night's lengthy Lodi Planning Commission meeting.

The supporters, which included several store employees, said they do not see a Supercenter as an economic threat to the rest of Lodi's retail shops — or the Downtown — as some fear.

A new and recently released environmental study concluded that the 226,000 square-foot Supercenter could drain sales at Lodi's competing discount retailers by nearly half. That report was the focus of the commission meeting.

"Wal-Mart doesn't compete against Downtown," said Roger Oster, a lifelong Lodi resident, adding that Downtown's shops were for tourists. "Wal-Mart caters to the people."

Herald Jackson, a retired appliance salesman and Wal-Mart customer, said he sees "nothing but good" from the Supercenter plans.

He, like many of the supporters, wore the bright sticker reading "Wal-Mart. Save Money.

Live Better."

The company expects to generate 200 new jobs and hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue for the city, if the store is built.

In other action: Three key items

Planning commissioners reviewed three other key items at last night's meeting:
• They signed off on early boundaries for the city's proposed redevelopment district. Those boundaries will include more than 2,000 acres, covering the Eastside's commercial and residential neighborhoods. The final say on redevelopment in Lodi will come this summer by the City Council.
• Commissioners delayed a decision on an upscale 47-home subdivision proposed for northwest Lodi. Issues regarding the project's vehicle entrances and exits must still be worked out. The commission will likely review revised plans in January.
• Commissioners approved an alcohol license for the future Ocean's restaurant and bar, planned for 27 Sacramento St. Applicants for that project had first asked to open a restaurant and nightclub called Rum Jungle, but dropped the nightclub idea after opposition. Commissioners said they were very pleased with the current two-story project, including the plans for ground-floor retail shops.
Source: News-Sentinel staff.

Commissioners did not make a recommendation on the Supercenter last night; they won't do so until Jan. 23 at the earliest. The meeting instead was meant to collect comments from the public related to the new report.

A San Joaquin County Superior Court Judge in 2005 required the new studies, effectively overturning the city's initial approval of the project.

Several critics of the Supercenter plans spoke at the meeting, but were outnumbered in the audience by a large margin.

One such critic argued that the city would be undoing all its work to promote the Downtown if it allowed the retail giant to build a new store.

"You would essentially have the city subsidizing the impacts of Wal-Mart," said Don Mooney, attorney for Citizens for Open Government, the group that sued the city for approving the Supercenter in 2005.

The public has until Dec. 7 to submit written comments on the Supercenter's new environmental report. Comments can be sent to City of Lodi, Community Development Department, Attn: Randy Hatch, 221 W. Pine St., Lodi, CA, 95241.

The report is available on the city's Web site at http://www.lodi.gov. It's also available for review at the Community Development Department, inside City Hall at 221 W. Pine St.

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Caspian wrote on Nov 22, 2007 6:08 PM:

" Lodian--well put. and soon, the chamber of commerce will fewer members. "

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dude wrote on Nov 22, 2007 1:58 AM:

" I want the giant Walmart in Lodi so I don't have to travel so far on my bike to get my gigs at a good price. Gotta have my gigs man. "

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knock knock wrote on Nov 21, 2007 11:54 AM:

" Where are all the latest posts? "

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Caspian wrote on Nov 20, 2007 5:59 PM:

" Lodian: The RDA money is going to be used to build-up the Eastside for the new projected growth. You are right about the Westside becoming the Blighted-Westside with what WM will leave in its wake. Just think of those that are living in the 'Mills' developments--what a noise and traffic mess that is going to be (not to mention crime). "

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Lodian wrote on Nov 20, 2007 9:22 AM:

" I think most regular citizens of Lodi that want a Wal-Mart are completely unaware, and don't really care, about the impact Wal-Mart will have on this community. It seems the people that want this Wal-Mart so badly just want to shop there and their thoughts do not go beyond that! "

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Caveman wrote on Nov 19, 2007 3:58 PM:

" It still shocks me that even though the chair of the planning commission repeatedly told the WM supporters to keep their comments to the EIR, the only thing most of them said was how great WM was and how much they wanted one. It makes one wonder if they even know what EIR means "

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Caspain wrote on Nov 19, 2007 1:53 PM:

" Cogito: "You lost so, shut put." not really that american would you say? if we all shut up based on your thinking, what would america be like? Oh, just let the winners rule and the rest of humanity doing their desire. can you say repression for those on the wrong side of your thinking. "

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LodiLastGeneration wrote on Nov 18, 2007 9:57 PM:

" If I were a multi-billion dollar conglomerate, why would I stay interested in Lodi for almost 4 years? I can think of millions of them, roughly 20. Why? Do the math, city council members already have. "

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tourist money wrote on Nov 17, 2007 11:15 AM:

" When Lodi and their good old boy build that hotel in downtown Lodi, we'll have enough tourism that we really don't need a new walmart. Mayor bob says we need that new hotel so why aren't we worried about that instead of a new walmart and an empty strip mall? "

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lodian to wrote on Nov 17, 2007 11:11 AM:

" then when the rest of their stripmall small support businesses collapse, we'll have a slum on the westside. Glad they got all that redevelopment money to help those businesses out in that strip that're doomed when walmart moves across the street. "

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Lodian wrote on Nov 16, 2007 11:36 PM:

" I have relatives across the country and this vacancy plan has happened in MANY towns across America. It's always the same thing... the store goes vacant and stays that way. Just the way Wal-Mart likes it. There is nothing wrong with free enterprise, but Wal-Mart leaves a wake that a city should not tolerate. They are bad neighbors. Kick'em out! "

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Lodian wrote on Nov 16, 2007 11:33 PM:

" Reality: No one wants to close "...the door to development". We just want the right kind of development that is best for the city of Lodi. A dumpy HUGE retail store and a bunch of cheap houses is not good for any city. Oh, and do some research, REAL research on Wal-Mart and their store "shells" they leave behind after a city allows them to build a SUPER CENTER. They own that shell and want to control their profits. Often they will allow the shell to stay vacant so as to insure the new center's success to the max. "

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to JOHAN rihino wrote on Nov 16, 2007 11:27 PM:

" And hopefully we will soon no longer have YOU! "

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T&C Attacks wrote on Nov 16, 2007 8:58 PM:

" Some are insisting we build a Super Walmart because the voters have spoken. "It's in the books!" "follow the will of the people!" "It's the law!" What they seem to have forgotten is that there is a pending legal challenge. (By the way, the courts are a recognized component in our legal system.) The courts have said the EIR is flawed. This is a legal challenge and it must be resolved before any decision to build can be made. "

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Cogito wrote on Nov 16, 2007 6:28 PM:

" To"Caspian": No my employer doesn't have a lobbying group. My employer is ME! I am licensed through the Dept. of Consumer Affairs, and as far as I'm concerned, they are way more trouble than help. May I also remind you that it is the American way for the govt. to carry out the will of the people. Lodi citizens voted to HAVE a Super Wal-Mart. The govt. only needs to get out of the way for it to happen. To those in opposition, you lost, so shut up! "

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woodbridge res... wrote on Nov 16, 2007 4:10 PM:

" In responce to Question wrote on Nov 15, 2007 10:39 AM: I am not against big box stores. I am how ever I am against crappy customer service. "

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JOHAN rihino wrote on Nov 15, 2007 7:49 PM:

" WOW NO WAL MART NO NIGHT CLUBS WHAT THE HELL DOSE LODI HAVE ?????? nothing PEOPLE "

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richie wrote on Nov 15, 2007 7:44 PM:

" lodi is going to be 1 step closer to being a bigger city and thats what i like seeing i hope a lot more black people move in to town so lodi wont be known as a raciest town ....i say YES TO WAL MART "

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Caspian wrote on Nov 15, 2007 7:07 PM:

" Cogito: does your employer have a lobbying group is is associated with? Or how about the industry you work in?--does it seek the help of government? Please, tell me what industry that does not have some type of political connection? it is the American way to try to influence government. "

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judy wrote on Nov 15, 2007 6:44 PM:

" The large toy makers in the USA (such as Mattel)are the ones who outsourced manufacturing to China - not Wal-Mart. Many stores are carrying these toys, not just Wal-Mart. Nobody is asking anyone to shop Wal-Mart. I'm talking about nothing more than free enterprise. Wal-Mart will either survive or they won't - but do it on an even ground. Being attacked by large unions with unlimited dollars is not on even ground. Your anger about dangerous toys is justified and needs to be directed to the manufacturers who continue to let this happen. "

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JJ wrote on Nov 15, 2007 5:38 PM:

" Wal-Mart can't even keep the store they have here now clean and organized. What do you think will happen when a bigger one moves in? Do you think they will really strive to keep the parking lot clean and free of litter? How about the traffic? Better wakeup Lodi. "

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Small Town USA wrote on Nov 15, 2007 3:13 PM:

" If you like to contribute to the on going trade deficit then go ahead and build this giant warehouse full of cheap imports from China. To me, that is the only thing a Super WallMart brings to the community.(that and lead based toys from overseas) I think the overall public needs to get their heads out of the consumerism clouds and look at the big picture. WallMart is good for nothing and I will never shop there. "

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I wrote on Nov 15, 2007 2:04 PM:

" So has Walmart pulled Aqua Dots off the shelves yet? You know, the toys that have ecstasy in them!! If Walmart really cared about our children then they would pull that out of the Christmas add all together as well. If they don't then they're just greedy and do not care what China does to our children! "

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judy wrote on Nov 15, 2007 2:01 PM:

" To suggest the Wal-Mart supporters at the meeting were not from Lodi is a stretch. Lodi voted for the supercenter to be built - it took more than 36 people to do that. Wal-Mart already exists in Lodi - it isn't going to hurt downtown; it's a completely different customer. I agree with COGITO's comments - especially about the union being behind the opposition. If stores can't survive the opening of a Wal-Mart Superstore, so be it. And Leonard, why should the supercenter have to be built on the east side? It's already on the west side. "

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Time To Move On!!! wrote on Nov 15, 2007 11:53 AM:

" " The citizens of Lodi voted for the Supercenter years ago, NOW BUILD IT!!!! " "

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T&A wrote on Nov 15, 2007 11:47 AM:

" Wow, downtown haters love to blog huh? "

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MurrDogg wrote on Nov 15, 2007 11:42 AM:

" great.. attract even more trailer dwellers to lodi..damnit!!! "

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Patton wrote on Nov 15, 2007 11:03 AM:

" Why would T and C go to the meetings? He believes the "vast right wing conspiracy" theory that if anything changes it is bad and must therefore somebody must be getting rich at his expense. When you are truly mentally sick, there really is no reason to leave your little house and interact with society, after all they are all just out to screw him, right? "

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Midtowner wrote on Nov 15, 2007 10:59 AM:

" Daniel: your comments are borderline racist. Be careful, be very careful. "

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Question wrote on Nov 15, 2007 10:39 AM:

" I always find it fascinating how many people who are opposed to a Supercenter turn around and suggest another big box. Don't build the Supercenter but build a Ikea. What the hell is the difference? "

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Weezer wrote on Nov 15, 2007 10:16 AM:

" A Supercenter will only attract unsavory characters to livable, loveable Lodi, as if there's not enough here already. Take a trip to Hammer Ln. and see what I mean. If ever this gets built, put it on the Eastside. Leave Westside alone. "

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wheres waldo? wrote on Nov 15, 2007 9:52 AM:

" Was T @ C there? I can't wait to hear his take on the meeting. "

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Woodbridge res.. wrote on Nov 15, 2007 9:16 AM:

" I have always been against a Super center but because I live in Woodbridge I could not vote. People keep saying it will bring in money but there are super centers everywhere if Lodi really wanted to bring in money I say build an IKEA store. "

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who cares about downtown wrote on Nov 15, 2007 8:34 AM:

" Who really shops downtown. everything is overpriced and is just specialized items. the only thing downtown should have is restaurants and the theater. even the outdoor store on Pine is going to close down when REI opens in stockton in the Spring. They can not compete with REI. SO WHO CARES, I dont. "

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Reality wrote on Nov 15, 2007 8:15 AM:

" Lodi cannot keep closing the door to development. As it is now people just drive to Stockton if they want to go to a super Walmart. Downtown should not suffer as they are not the same type stores. The old Walmart won't be a vacant building as this is a prime retail area. We can just stay in Lodi and shop versus going to Stockton. Also adds jobs which means housing and everything that goes with it. "

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Cogito wrote on Nov 15, 2007 8:12 AM:

" Why don't you just build it already! Nobody has to work there, and nobody has to shop there. And as far as putting "mom and pop" out of business, they usually pay worse wages than Wal-Mart anyway. The only jobs truly threatened are the ones at the large corporate grocery stores. The unions are the ones truly behind the opposition here. Is increasing the buying power of the poor such a bad thing? Paying more for the same item to keep a less efficient business alive may be viewed as noble, but it's really just stupid. "

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Ernie wrote on Nov 15, 2007 7:48 AM:

" I wonder how many of those people wearing a Walmart sticker actually work for Walmart ? After driving through the intersection of Hammer and Holman in Stockton, how can anypone in their right mind want that for Lodi ? "

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Daniel wrote on Nov 15, 2007 7:45 AM:

" I want to know if anyone recognized the identity of any of the Wal-Mart supporters. Did they dress like they were from Lodi, or China? It is common practice to hire professional "citizens." "

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Modtowner wrote on Nov 15, 2007 7:12 AM:

" The citizens of Lodi voted for the Supercenter years ago, NOW BUILD IT!!!! "

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Leonard wrote on Nov 15, 2007 6:46 AM:

" If they want to build the Superslavecenter, they should have to build it on the East Side. "

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Comments on this story are now closed.

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