Wal-Mart Wins in Heber

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Grassroots opponents of Wal-Mart were no match for the retail giant in Heber City. Citizens group "Put Heber Valley First" fell 106 votes short in its effort to prevent a zoning change that will allow big box retailers in town.

"We're not talking about an overwhelming statement for big box," says Put Heber Valley First organizer Matt Heimburger. "We're talking about a community that's split down the middle. We didn't prevail in a couple of percentage points, but I think it would be very difficult for anybody to interpret these results as a mandate to do business as usual."

Heimburger is encouraged that two newly-elected Heber City Councilmen were oppose the big box zoning change. He hopes that will mean more community-friendly development for Heber. However slim the defeat, it's still a win for the Boyer Company, which is planning a large retail development anchored by Wal-Mart on Heber's Main Street. Boyer Company spokesman Wade Williams says they'll waste no time breaking ground:

"We're anxious now to move forward with the plan as proposed and move quickly to pick up where we left off before the referendum started," says Williams. "And we hope to be able to start construction in the Spring."

The Boyer Company will present the conceptual plat approval for its proposed Mixed Use Retail Residential project at the Heber City Planning Commission meeting tonight.

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