The Newspaper of the San Francisco Bay Chapter
March - April 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| CONSERVATION NEWS |
 |
|
|
Wal-Mart withdraws plan for Hercules!
Days before it was to come before the Planning Commission, Wal-Mart withdrew its application to build a Supercenter in the Hercules waterfront area.
The proposal had aroused growing opposition because it would have devastated years of efforts to plan healthy development for the city. A Wal-Mart big-box store would be incompatible with the city's plans for a new town center and a variety of businesses, restaurants, and upscale shopping opportunities for Hercules residents, as well as pedestrian-friendly walking areas, significant greenbelts, and well-planned restoration of Refugio Creek, which wanders through the middle of all the active development. The city's plans also include bus, Amtrak, and ferry terminals on the Bay.
Hercules planning staff would have recommended that the Planning Commission deny approval. Opponents include the Friends of Hercules, residents' groups, environmental groups, nearby cities, and unions.
Everyone must remain vigilant. Wal-Mart could return with a modified plan. Wal-Mart already has stores in Martinez, Vallejo, and Oakland, has plans for building a store in the Hilltop Mall Shopping Center in Richmond, and plans to build a significant number of additional Wal-Marts in the Bay Area. A Wal-Mart anywhere has tremendous impacts upon the surrounding communities, as it strives to draw shoppers from a wide circumference and to capture a significant market share.
WhatYouCanDo
To work with the Sierra Club on blocking Wal-Mart in Hercules, contact Mike Daley at (510) 848-0800, ext. 304, or email mdaley -at- sfbaysc.org.
The Friends of Franklin Canyon has changed its name to Friends of Hercules. The Friends supports a proactive and quality-of-living philosophy on all issues relating to residents. Its mission includes encouraging good planning and sensible land use, to provide benefits to generations of residents to come. The organization encourages and facilitates public involvement in planning issues. See the Friends web site for updates on the Hercules Wal-Mart process.
© 2006 San Francisco Sierra Club Yodeler