Heber Votes on Big Box Zoning Today

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Wal-Mart is on the ballot in Heber City today. Actually, the zoning change would apply to all big-box stores larger than 60-thousand square feet in Heber. But opponent Mike Tyler says Wal-Mart's the worst:

"Please be careful about how you vote," warns Tyler. "If you want a big box, that's fine. But make sure you have an addendum in that contract with the city that does not allow them to put a Wal-Mart in here. Because any other big box would be ten times better than having a Wal-Mart come into town."

Tyler is a South Jordan resident and can't even vote on the issue in Heber today. But he got involved in Heber campaign activities because he says Wal-Mart hurt his small hometown in California. Plenty of Heber residents say they would welcome more shopping options. Melissa Toy is among them:

"Right now I spend tons of money in Park City, or down in Orem and Provo or Salt Lake, and I would much rather it come back to the community," says Toy. "I'm okay because I know what it's gonna do to our property values, too."

Toy moved to Heber from Park City where she saw her property values jump when the nearby Redstone Development expanded.

A "yes" vote on today's zoning referendum will allow big box stores larger than 60-thousand square-feet in Heber. The Boyer Company wants to build a 149-thousand square-foot Wal-Mart as one anchor in a development of shops and restaurants on Heber's Main Street.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Election Coverage, and Election 2007. Copyright 2009 KCPW