Encinitans speak out against Walmart

NCTimes:

Some people may not like it, but Walmart has met Encinitas' code requirements and there is nothing city officials can do to revoke the company's permit to use the old Home Expo building, council members said Wednesday.

They made their comments after seven public speakers said Encinitas dropped the ball when it issued Walmart a permit Sept. 6 to use the building on the northeast corner of Leucadia Boulevard and Garden View Drive.

"Who's running the government here?" asked Walmart opponent Joann Hoffman. She said city staff members didn't make it easy for people like her to learn that Walmart had been issued a permit for the Home Expo site.

Also, she said, no one informed her that once that permit was issued she would have 15 days to appeal the decision. Fellow Walmart opponent James Cowles, who lives within walking distance of the Home Expo building, said it was "very telling" that Encinitas only grants people 15 days to appeal a building permit decision, while state law says that time span can be up to 90 days.

Teresa Barth has the key takeaway: it's all about the General Plan. If you think one Walmart is offensive, wait til you see what the Planning Department wants to do to all of El Camino Real. If you don't start showing up to every General Plan Update, don't complain in fifteen years when it looks like Irvine South.

My, how times change. I can remember when you had to drive all the way to Escondido or Kearny Mesa for a Target. Now we've got Target, Walmart, Big Lots, pawn shops, and check-cashing stores all right here in little Encinitas.

Coming soon to Encinitas: People of Walmart. And it's going to be walking-distance to Encinitas Ranch! That's got to be good for property values.