AustinAction - Democrats vote to support Opponents of Wal-Mart Supercenter

Democrats vote to support Opponents of Wal-Mart Supercenter

Democrats vote to support Opponents of Wal-Mart Supercenter
Group asks retailer to be a 'good corporate citizen'

in fact daily
July 9, 2003

The South Austin Democrats backed a resolution last night to support those opposed to a Wal-Mart Supercenter in the Barton Springs Recharge Zone in soutwest Austin.

President Jeff Jack presented the resolution, which passed unanimously with a voice vote of two-dozen members at Rosie's Tamale House last night. In the resolution, the South Austin Democrats wrote they would recommend that the Wal-Mart be built, but only if it meets the SOS Ordinance water quality standards of 15 percent impervious cover.

"Isn't everyone aware of the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone?" Jack asked the group. "Yet developers continue to put big development over the recharge zone. We can tweak this around the edges. We can fine-tune the pollution controls. But the simple fact is that more square footage on the aquifer is going to hasten the death of our drinking water." The new Wal-Mart Supercenter is on the Maple Run tract adjacent to South MoPac at Slaughter Lane. According to corporate plans for the site, impervious cover would be closer to 51 percent, Jack said. Even though the resolution left the door open for Wal-Mart to proceed if it met SOS standards, the likelihood of that happening is remote. The retailer is not required to meet SOS ordinance standards under an agreement made to settle a lawsuit with the original property-owner. Environmental Board Chair Lee Leffingwell was on hand to present the cityÃs strongest argument against the development. Leffingwell told the crowd that the only protection from the Wal-Mart might be critical environmental features on the property. One city staff member has told Endeavor Realty, which is brokering the deal, it must provide a 300-foot setback upstream and a 100-foot setback downstream from the site, Leffingwell said.

"As far as I know, that may be the only legal hook available to stop this, other than the impervious cover issue," Leffingwell said. "They have offered to buy some land to offset the 15 percent impervious cover, but it's miles away. That's ridiculous."

The resolution - which asks all local jurisdictions to deny site development, environmental and building permits - also cites concerns about cut-through traffic across neighborhoods and chronic congestion in Southwest Travis County. It asked Endeavor "to be a good Austin Corporate Citizen and withdraw this site from consideration." Jack encouraged vocal opposition to the project and provided the email addresses of the Wal-Mart corporate board, Endeavor Realty, City Council members and local newspapers, among others. The only way that the fight can be won, Jack said, is through public awareness. Public opposition could "really turn the tide" in such issues, Jack said.