After a six year battle over a proposed Wal-Mart, the giant retailer decided not to build. Wal-Mart says it was part of a national pull back of growth, but the residents of Union County say it was their opposition. Its another victory for folks who want to choose the future of their neighborhoods, and not let huge corporations take over that role. Here's the article from the Charlotte Observer:
We're not victims here in Union County. We don't just sit back and wait to see what form growth around us will take.We can, and should, have a say.
Wal-Mart's decision last week to walk away from its plan to build a Supercenter in the Marvin area proves your voice can be heard.
Residents in that area didn't want the center. They made that point clear to everyone involved during the six-year legal battle.
Wal-Mart believed the fight was worth it because the site is between Weddington and Marvin, a good market with median household incomes of more than $97,000, according to the 2000 U.S. Census.
There's bound to be a few shoppers there.
But last week a Wal-Mart spokesman said the company won't build on the 28-acre site at Rea and Tom Short roads. They're trying to sell the property for $8 million. It's all part of a nationwide pullback, the spokesman said.
The people who lived in nearby subdivisions such as Somerset and Hunter Oaks were willing to persevere because they had a vision of what they wanted their neighborhood to look like.
About a year ago I applauded, and wrote about, a similar battle involving the people of Waxhaw.
They fought and held off a proposal for a 200,000-square-foot, 24-hour Supercenter at Jackson Station in Waxhaw. They also had a vision: maintain small-town charm with a safe place to walk, not threatened by dense shopper traffic.
These fights aren't easy to win. You've got to be willing to fight for a long time and spend money. Still, battles like these serve a purpose in this county. They show developers and elected officials that, if no one else is willing to say no, some homeowners will.
That doesn't necessarily mean anyone is wrong.This county should work to bring in commercial development to keep the tax burden reasonable for homeowners. Business owners are simply being smart in our current economic climate when they try to build in areas where people have money to shop. Homeowners have every right to take action that protects their property values and ensures a safe environment.
Conflicts are inevitable. Still, this is how Union County will grow into whatever its future will be.
And there's plenty on the horizon to fuel more conflicts. Homes are still going up, roads and other infrastructure still must be built, new businesses will still come here. You've already heard about everything on this list.
So maybe it's time to stop framing these conflicts in terms of winners and losers. It's actually about finding the solution that works best for the most people involved.
The emphasis is on involvement -- speaking up.
We've all heard the cliche: "NIMBY (not in my back yard)." When you decide to take that position, you know it won't be easy. You also should know, you're being an involved citizen.
Involved citizens may not always win, but they do make better government, and ultimately a better county.
Posted by Taylor - February 6, 2008 04:45 PM - In Your Community
Lee H Scott CEO of Wal Mart ruin Wal Mart Store were Sam Walton built his Campany now Lee H Scott run the Walton Wal Mart Store like He make more Money then Wal Mart Employee and he dosen't provide affordable Health Care back in 1962 Sam Walton give their Employee a living wage with affordable Health and help his Customer save money and live better and I use to work over at Sam's Club
Posted by Tom P Noonan - February 6, 2008 06:38 PM