Robert Cuthbert

There is much to appreciate about our community. We are set off from the “beaten path” of Highway 101. This has made the City a “stand alone” self-reliant community. The local culture is friendly, family oriented, and idyllic. Our unique home in the valley deserves appreciation and I will work to keep the Lompoc Valley a place where we want to live.

Lompoc Group Fights Walmart Supercenter

10/20/09

Once again local community members have come together to fight the world’s largest retail corporation. In the small, and out of the way, City of Lompoc (CA) a small group of activists prepares to make their stand.

In 1992 a similar coalition of community members opposed the original local Walmart store. In a drawn out process the “big box” retailer ultimately prevailed. When in late 2006 Walmart approached the City to convert to a Supercenter, residents again organized in opposition, this time they won in short order.

This year Walmart is determined to build the Supercenter increasing area by 51%. The legal process began with the initiation of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) planning process under California’s Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The Act requires new construction projects comply with a wide range of environmental issues. Outright impacts can prohibit construction; the applicant may moderate lesser ones. Mitigations can take many forms. If the process identifies significant effects on the environment Walmart would need to avoid, minimize, or otherwise eliminate the impacts. The CEQA process can stop a project altogether.

The public had their first opportunity to give their opinion August 26. The hearing at City Hall was met by a rally outside of a dozen citizens lead by Harry Keim. The recent city council candidate explained his concerns, “we know it’s going to hurt the economic stability of the city.” “Walmart will dominate the market by underselling local businesses,” he said.

Dozens of outspoken residents dominated the hearing. Little was said in support of the project while a local Walmart manager listened. City officials moderated the meeting while residents spoke their minds. The public was invited to speak, or alternatively make written comments.

Organizer of the ad hoc group Citizens Against Walmart Expansion, Rosemary Holmes, is adamant in her opinion. “In order for Lompoc to build a vibrant and healthy community we need to shore up businesses already here and encourage new businesses that are locally owned,” She warns.  “A Walmart Supercenter is not the answer, and we must and will fight it with everything we have.”

The group continues to follow the CEQA process. The next step is public outreach and education before the second public hearing period in early November. That hearing will be the last opportunity for the public to make direct comments. Once a final EIR is produced the Lompoc Planning Commission may, or may not, approve the project.