Walfart

Picture of the Day

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Seems like the SE Walmart doesn’t plan on breaking ground this summer, unless that includes breaking ground with tillage and planting equipment.

The corporate attorneys probably advised them that it would probably be a bad idea to start building a building before the State Supreme Court decided on the annexation.

Who knows?

Walmart spends almost $400,000 on rezoning issue

And these financial reports are only reporting what has currently been spent (Documents). They can still spend more up until the election, some estimates are around $750,000.

So when people want to say how great Walmart is, put your money where your mouth is. Why is Walmart the only one giving money to ‘Build a Better Sioux Falls’?

Where are the individual contributors? LOL!

And on a different note, it looks like Walmart had to take down their huge signs. Must not have been in compliance. But hey, can’t imagine they would break any rules to get their way.

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UPDATE:Why are so many former community leaders spreading mis-information about the WM Rezoning?

Sent from a SYN, member;

If you read the Argus Leader this morning you likely saw the quote from Carol Twedt, former Minnehaha County Commissioner, implying that the homeowners near 85th Street and Minnesota Avenue are at fault for not verifying the City’s plans for the area when they built their houses. “I think when you purchase property, it behooves you as a citizen to find out what the city’s plans are for your area, especially on a thoroughfare like I am,” she said.

Having been active in county planning, Commissioner Twedt understands the need for proper planning. She also recognizes that people rely on the government’s plans once adopted. The single family homeowners near 85th and Minnesota relied on the City’s plans when they built their homes. Going back to the 90s the City’s plans called for the area where these homes exist to be developed into single family neighborhoods. There was no plan for heavy commercial development in the area. Some of us asked at the time as Commissioner Twedt suggested.

While we appreciate the service Commissioner Twedt has provided her constituents, there are times when politicians must admit their have misspoke. Many others have also been mistaken in their understanding that the City long planned the area for significant commercial development well in advance of homes being built. Therefore, we ask that Commissioner Twedt publicly acknowledge that the City had not adopted any plans for large commercial development at the 85th & Minnesota intersection before 2009 when most of the homes were built. To insinuate otherwise is a misrepresentation of the facts.

 

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Twedt needs to concentrate on retirement instead of spreading mis-information:

Carol Twedt, a former Minnehaha County commissioner, said 85th and Minnesota is the right place for a Walmart. She’s lived in a condominium on Minnesota Avenue south of 57th Street for more than 20 years, and she’s watched the city grow around her.
“I think when you purchase property, it behooves you as a citizen to find out what the city’s plans are for your area, especially on a thoroughfare like I am,” she said.
“Growth happens in a vibrant community,” she added.

Here is the facts: The City didn’t have a plan for that corner until it designated it a sub-regional employment center on December 7th, 2009, by that time (see above).  We always expected commercial development on that corner, but under Shape Places C-4 commercial development can be an unlimited size, and a 185,000 sq ft super-center is absolutley the biggest and most intense commercial development imaginable.

Is it even legal to mention Walmart on the ballot for Referred Law 4?

Someone pointed this out to me today, that Walmart is being mentioned on the ballot language for Referred Law 4. Not sure if this will get on the ballot this way (because the city attorney and city clerk are not allowing anyone from the public to view the ballots before they are printed). You have to remember, this is a zoning issue NOT a Walmart issue. In fact, as far as I know, Walmart doesn’t even own the property yet, the Homan family does (Springdale development). And even if it gets rezoned by the vote of the people, it doesn’t mean a Walmart has to be built there. Kinda reminds me of providing the public with indoor pool drawings when an indoor pool isn’t even on the ballot.

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The ‘Pros’ & ‘Cons’ of another Walmart, Letters to the editor

These letters to the editor offer some different opinions. First, Mr. Alvine;

So why does anyone who doesn’t own a house in the neighborhood really care if Walmart builds there? Doesn’t affect me, right? Wrong. There is an equitable principal that “you don’t get to bring a nuisance to your neighbors.” The best well-known example of this doctrine is a person doesn’t get to bring their stinky pig farm to a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood that has been enjoying fresh air for years. These houses were built at that location for a reason, to create a quiet, family-friendly neighborhood. This neighborhood is and has been well established before Walmart chose to purchase the land next door. Thus, a simple principle of fairness and justice dictates that Walmart has no right to destroy the safety and peacefulness these neighbors have created. They were there first, after all.

Then there is this letter from someone who aspired to be appointed to the city council, Marlin D. Thompson;

The group’s spokeswoman, Dana Palmer, rails about Walmart’s promotional campaign to advance the company’s desires to build at 85th and Minnesota. And SYN’s “news release” (that’s a stretch) provides Sioux Falls citizens with this: “If the city allows Walmart to buy zoning to allow it to build a commercial development … .” The group continues “… our neighborhoods are not for sale to the highest bidder, and zoning in this city cannot be bought.” Wow. Pay no mind the City Council voted 7-1 to allow the project to move forward; however, SYN knows best. The ballot measure will be decided by the voters of Sioux Falls. Thank goodness.

LOL! The ‘RUBBERSTAMP’ council, the one that Marlin wishes he would have been appointed to. But he seems to have a change of heart since 2011. DOC: CouncilorThompson;

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