Editorial: Yes, Wal-Mart, there is a subjective side

Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2002 | 8:57 a.m.

If "objective" criteria were all that was needed to justify public land-use decisions, planning commissions, planning staff and city councils could all just be cut out of the picture. A clerk could run his finger down a list and if a proposal met all the objectives of a written zoning plan, he could stamp it "approved" and construction could begin immediately. But that would be no way to run a city anywhere in the United States. Our heritage of listening to people affected by public decisions runs deep, even deeper than the pockets of a company like Wal-Mart.

That's why we're sure the members of the Las Vegas City Council will be listening intently Wednesday when residents living in the vicinity of Sahara Avenue and Hualapai Way express themselves about Wal-Mart's plans for their neighborhood. The company wants to build a 203,000-square-foot "supercenter" on what is now an 18-acre vacant lot. The company wants to sell merchandise and groceries at the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More than 500 residents are expected to attend the council meeting to oppose Wal-Mart's plans.

Wal-Mart has already been told no by the city's planning staff, the Planning Commission and the councilwoman representing the area, Lynette Boggs McDonald. But the company won't take no for an answer, arguing that those denials are all "subjective" and that, on paper, the project meets planning standards. That's why the corporation is scheduled to appear Wednesday before the Las Vegas City Council -- to appeal all of those denials.

The residents are not opposed to ordinary commercial development featuring stores that operate during regular business hours. But they do object to the size and scope of Wal-Mart's plan, which they say is incompatible with the surroundings. Our view is that elected officials have a responsibility to listen to the people affected by their decisions. Listening and acting accordingly may be subjective, but it's also responsible public stewardship.