(Marc Lutz/News-Sentinel)

Proposal for Galt Wal-Mart irks some seniors

When Frank Oliver moved to Galt a year ago, the last thing he expected was for Wal-Mart to move in across the street.

Small retail shops, perhaps a few medical offices, were mentioned for the empty field just south of Twin Cities Road at Fermoy Way — a parcel that abuts the Emerald Village Senior Community, where Oliver and dozens of other retirees live.

"I specifically asked if there was going to be a big box," said the 73-year-old former educator, who has called the site "an absolutely terrible location" for a Wal-Mart.

Street Scene: What's your opinion on Wal-Mart possibly opening in Galt?

While many residents in the shopping-deprived city support the store's plans, those near the site say Wal-Mart will add more gridlock, noise and crime to the area. They're fearful their quiet neighborhood will be transformed into an unpleasant place to live.

Some will literally have views of the store's loading docks, should Wal-Mart win approval, they noted.

"Who in their right mind would want to live next to a 24/7 operation?" asked Rick Walters, president of Citizens for a Better Galt, whose group of roughly 20 residents has opposed the project, as have many at the senior community.

City planners are now gathering public comment on the proposed 132,000 square-foot store. Concerns and suggestions will be addressed in an upcoming draft environmental impact report, to be completed by the city and the Sacramento-based firm Raney Planning and Management.

Such reports typically take between nine and 12 months to complete, said Curt Campion, the city's community development chief. The Galt City Council will vote on the project, likely by the end of 2008 or early 2009.

About 70 residents gathered last week to voice their concerns about the Wal-Mart project at a public "scoping meeting" at the Galt Police Department's community room. The standing-room only meeting was attended by numerous residents concerned about the project and its location.

Residents have until May 5 to submit their comments about the Wal-Mart proposal, and have them included in the draft EIR — which studies a project's affect on surrounding traffic, water and wildlife, among other topics.

Galt City Councilwoman Barbara Payne said she is sympathetic to residents' concerns about Wal-Mart. But she noted that growth is the only way the city will raise money for needed improvements, like wider roads.

"Do we just not allow anything to go in and not allow our city to have any place to shop?" she asked.

Manuel Dominguez, a Galt resident and truck driver, said he supports bringing the store to town. Adding a bit more noise and traffic "is normal in a growing city," he said, while finishing some shopping in Downtown Galt.

There's no specific plans or funding to widen Twin Cities Road, for the next decade or more, noted City Councilman Don Haines. Traffic already backs up on Highway 99 near the road during rush hour, causing delays of 15 minutes or more, he added.

"Certainly there's going to be an impact," Haines said of the proposed store. "I see that right now and I am concerned about it."

He added that the council will have to wait until the draft EIR is complete to decide what kind of conditions to place on the project. In Lodi, where a revised EIR for a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter is on hold, city planners have asked the retail giant to pay a "big-box fee" to offset the store's drain on business Downtown.

No such proposal has been made in Galt.

Campion, the city's development director, said an economic study will be a part of the Wal-Mart EIR.

"A fee may be established — I don't know," he said.

Should the store gain approval, construction could start by summer 2009 with a store opening in 2010, according Wal-Mart estimates from earlier this year. A spokesperson for the store did not return a call for comment Tuesday.

Haines noted he does feel for the residents at Emerald Village.

"We could call this a 'not in my backyard' approach," he said. "But they have a legitimate excuse. You're going to impact their life."

Contact reporter Chris Nichols at chrisn@lodinews.com.