Council Approves Walmart Expansion Project

Despite a threat of litigation over an expansion to an existing Glendora Walmart facility, city council unanimously approved the project after a continuation of a public hearing.

The city deemed a last minute continuance request by Briggs Law Corporation “unnecessary,” advising the council to move forward with the hearing and vote on the project during Tuesday’s city council meeting.

The council was originally scheduled to vote on the proposal to add 30,000 square feet of grocery space to the existing Walmart store on 1950 Auto Center Drive during a Jan. 25 council meeting.

But earlier that afternoon, the planning department received a letter from Briggs Law Corporation, questioning the validity and accuracy of the project’s Environmental Impact Review. The council agreed to continue the public hearing at later date to allow staff to review the dozens of documents submitted by attorney Cory Briggs.

According to planning manager Dianne Walters, Briggs cited traffic, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and urban decay issues in his letter.

Walters said city staff performed an “exhaustive” analysis of the EIR and could not find any discrepancy.

According to Walters, the planning department received two more letters from Briggs on Tuesday, the day of the continued public hearing. One of the letters requested another continuance to allow Briggs to review the project’s landscape plan, a move Walters said was “unnecessary.”

“The revised landscape plan has been available in city offices since Jan. 25,” said Walters. “In addition, the revised plan simply reflects the additional landscaping and trees requested by the planning commission for the northwest and northeast corners of the property.”

The city-conducted EIR had shown that there was little significant impact to various environmental categories, including air quality, geology and soil, water quality, land use and noise.

The report had identified a “significant” impact on Auto Center Drive at the 57 North off-ramp, indicating a need for a left-hand turn lane.

However, planning officials say the traffic impacts of this area are beyond the control of the developers and the city.

Project developers plan to provide a third northbound lane on Lone Hill Avenue to the 210 freeway to help ease potential traffic. The project also includes a combination northbound/right turn lane at the Lone Hill intersection at Auto Center Drive.

According to planning and redevelopment director Jeff Kugel, Briggs implied litigation should the city moved forward with the project.

Kugel said Briggs’ threat of litigation is no surprise. Briggs has filed several lawsuits against projects affiliated with Wal-mart, including stores in Rialto, Murrieta and Barstow.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the council heard two public comments on the project.

Glendora resident and city council candidate Joe Santoro urged the council to approve the project despite any lawsuit treats.

“This project is a perfect example of what we should be doing and it’s absurd that someone could come here at the last minute and try and stop it,” said Santoro. “This is development that doesn’t cost us a dime. The delay costs the city money at a time when we truly need it.”

Glendora resident Mark Smith said there was not enough consideration into the potential traffic impacts of the project.

“My concerns…we have a congested area here on Auto Center Drive and Lone Hill Ave,” said Smith. “You have 15 to 20 businesses here, and you have people coming in from San Dimas to use the 57 freeway and the 210. Traffic is hideous.”

Still, all council members agreed the project was a revenue generator that would provide an updated façade and improve traffic conditions to the area.

“This is a win-win,” said council member Karen Davis. “One, we’re going to have a renewed Walmart, not only in appearance but in content. Also, they’re making improvements to Lone Hill, which seems to be a recurring issue, and adding that additional lane is going to help with the problems that exist right now.”