NEW : Wal-Mart submits smaller proposal for Ventura Kmart site

While Wal-Mart has submitted new plans to renovate and move into a shuttered Kmart in Ventura, opponents have vowed to intensify promotion of a November ballot measure to block the proposal.

This is the third time Wal-Mart has submitted conceptual drawings to replace the former Kmart on Victoria Avenue, and each proposal has progressively gotten smaller. The latest plan shows a 98,000-square-foot store with food sales, which would comply with new city rules that restrict stores along the busy Victoria corridor to no more than 100,000 square feet.

The proposal, however, would exceed size limits under Measure C, which goes to Ventura voters Nov. 3. If approved, the measure would prohibit any new store selling groceries that is larger than 90,000 square feet.

The measure never mentions Wal-Mart by name, but proponents — including residents and grocery employee unions — began crafting the measure after news surfaced that Wal-Mart wanted to replace the Kmart with a 150,000-square-foot store. Revised plans submitted in February reduced the store to 130,000 square feet.

The latest proposal calls for using the existing building but adding facade improvements, a new entrance, a loading dock and a garden center, according to drawings submitted to the city last week. City approval could come as quickly as a few months if the proposal fully complies with revised development rules adopted in April, city planning officials said. That analysis hasn’t yet started.

Critics allege Wal-Mart has grander desires. Plans show an additional loading dock would be constructed behind an adjacent vacant commercial building that is not part of the proposed retail store.

“They are clearly paving the way for an expansion at that location,” said Ventura resident Nan Waltman of Livable Ventura, a citizens group that is part of the Stop Wal-Mart Ventura Coalition. “Why in the world would they be putting a loading dock behind a store that isn’t theirs?”

Waltman said Measure C forbids “piece-mealing” — moving into an existing store and then expanding. Critics worry a Walmart store would hurt local businesses, add low-wage jobs in a community without affordable housing and worsen traffic.

“We’re going to close a library and open a Walmart. What does that say about our fair city?” said Livable Ventura’s Carol Lindberg, referring to the H.P. Wright Library on Day Road, which could close because of funding cuts.

Wal-Mart spokesman Aaron Rios could not be reached for comment on the latest proposal. But in earlier remarks, Rios said the retailer would not actively oppose the ballot measure.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based company in general opposes limitations on retail development by government. “Consumers should be the ones to decide where they shop,” he said.

The ballot measure would not ban a large electronics store like Fry’s or Best Buy, or a department store. It also exempts “wholesale club” stores that require memberships, like Costco or Wal-Mart-owned Sam’s Club.

Some City Council members oppose the ballot measure, saying it could thwart businesses the community wants, such as a third Target on the city’s east end, and the tax revenue such stores generate. The feared ill effects from a Walmart — low-paying jobs, competition against locally owned stores — could occur anyway if a new Walmart store opened in Oxnard, some say.

Council members agreed in April to allow existing stores along the busy Victoria corridor to be “modernized,” including the addition of loading docks, new entrances and environment-friendly improvements.

source : http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/aug/20/wal-mart-submits-smaller-proposal-for-ventura/