Editor:
Thank you to the Centerville Planning commission. Thank you for realizing that Centerville does not need to bend over backwards for large retailers.
Wal-Mart's willingness to "mitigate" problems such as traffic, aesthetics, and noise, among others, does not make them go away.
As part of the conditional use permit, Wal-Mart needed to prove that they were needed, that they contributed something to the city which did not already exist. Centerville has Target, Albertson's, Big 5, and space for many smaller retailers.
There is no way Wal-Mart could prove they are needed in Centerville because the truth is that they are not. The planning commission did not ignore fairness or city ordinances. Why is it that if someone is not cheering for Wal-Mart to move in, they are unfair and biased. Since when was bowing to Wal-Mart a requirement for voting on conditional use permits, conceptual site plans, and conceptual subdivision plans.
A study this summer also revealed that Davis County needs more retail.
Those who fear we may have to live with sub-par retail space can be comforted knowing that a Wal-Mart is listed to be built in North Salt Lake by 2008. If Wal-Mart is not able to build in Centerville, that would likely be much sooner.
Alice Roberts
North Salt Lake
aroberts@xmission.com