Proposed 24/7 Wal Mart In Elk Grove Draws Strong Opposition

Elk Grove Citizens oppose round-the-clock operation; will voice concerns en-mass at Wednesday's city council meeting


This afternoon over 200 people met to voice their opposition and formulate plans to keep Wal Mart from operating a proposed 98,000 sq. ft. round-the-clock store on the corner of Bruceville Rd. and Whitelock Pkwy.

The meeting was conducted by the Elk Grove Coalition Advocating Proper Planning (EGCAPP) at the request of residents of nearby Del Webb's Glennbrooke neighborhood. EGCAPP was instrumental in stopping Wal Mart's efforts to build at Wal Mart Super Center on Sheldon Rd.

The site of the proposed Wal Mart had already been approved by the Elk Grove City Council for a 150,000 sq ft. Target store. Target has since backed away from it intent to build on the site and real estate developer Lux Taylor sold the parcel to Wal Mart who has closed escrow.

Because the site had been zoned for commercial retail use, Wal Mart was able to piggyback the previous approval. The main concern expressed by the standing-room-only crowd was that the store would be open 24 hours a day.

Conducting the meeting were EGCAPP officers Constance Conley, Linda Ford and Steve Lee. All three emphasized the need to focus on efforts to stop the 24 hour operation and to contact city officials.

"You need to put pressure on them," Lee said.

All five members of the Elk Grove City Council were invited to the meeting but only newly elected member Steve Detrick attended. Detrick explained that while he supports the sentiments of the nearby residents, there is no specific Elk Grove ordinance prohibiting a 24 hour operation.

Detrick added that he was "appalled" to learn there was no ordinance addressing this and promised to support efforts to put a new ordinance in effect.

While there are no items on this week's city council agenda regarding the proposed Wal Mart, EGCAP urged people who had an opinion to voice it during the public comment session. "You need to take them to task," Conley said.