Bella Vista Walmart Battle Continues, Some Residents Feel Ignored
By: Marissa Stevens
Updated: September 17, 2012
Controversy continued in Bella Vista, with some folks speaking out against their own city.
"God gave each and every one of us a backbone, it's time that we stood up and used it," said Bella Vista resident Phyllis Lafferty.
Initial debates sparked from a Walmart Neighborhood Market possibly moving into town.
"People came to the meeting and they protested, they pleaded," said resident Claudia Lawson.
Several residents voiced concerns, including traffic trouble at Oldham Drive and Highway 71 which is the proposed location.
"You're not listening to us. You're not hearing what we're saying," said Lawson.
Amidst the arguments, city planners voted June 25 to rezone the land from residential to commercial.
Tony Licausi with Citizens for Responsible Development said their voices are not being heard.
"The whole process that the planning commission and the council went through... Making the public falsely believe they were part of the process when it is evident to everybody that they couldn't wait for everybody to stop talking because they already knew what they were going to do."
The group is now passing around petitions, trying to gather 1,500 signatures by July 31, with hopes to put the rezoning issue on the November 6 ballot.
Bella Vista Mayor Frank Anderson said his teams are making the right decisions, despite the differing opinions.
"Obviously there's a disagreement, that doesn't mean that we didn't listen or that the city council didn't pay attention... They're trying to do the best, in their opinion and with their knowledge and with their data, what's the best for the city."
While Mayor Anderson believes it only makes sense to zone the land as commercial, voters might have the final say.
"If the only way we can get a majority or figure out what the majority wants is through a vote, then that's the way we'll do it," said Mayor Anderson.
Although the current controversy is not whether Walmart should move in to Bella Vista, the recent rezoning issue stemmed from that possibility.
Chris Neeley, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for the retailer, gave this statement.
"We continue our due diligence on the site in the hopes of bringing a new Walmart Neighborhood Market to Bella Vista. We think our store fits within the city's existing land use plan, will help generate much needed revenue and most of all, serve as a solution for residents who want more affordable grocery options close to where they live and work."
Click here to read more about this controversial topic.
"God gave each and every one of us a backbone, it's time that we stood up and used it," said Bella Vista resident Phyllis Lafferty.
Initial debates sparked from a Walmart Neighborhood Market possibly moving into town.
"People came to the meeting and they protested, they pleaded," said resident Claudia Lawson.
Several residents voiced concerns, including traffic trouble at Oldham Drive and Highway 71 which is the proposed location.
"You're not listening to us. You're not hearing what we're saying," said Lawson.
Amidst the arguments, city planners voted June 25 to rezone the land from residential to commercial.
Tony Licausi with Citizens for Responsible Development said their voices are not being heard.
"The whole process that the planning commission and the council went through... Making the public falsely believe they were part of the process when it is evident to everybody that they couldn't wait for everybody to stop talking because they already knew what they were going to do."
The group is now passing around petitions, trying to gather 1,500 signatures by July 31, with hopes to put the rezoning issue on the November 6 ballot.
Bella Vista Mayor Frank Anderson said his teams are making the right decisions, despite the differing opinions.
"Obviously there's a disagreement, that doesn't mean that we didn't listen or that the city council didn't pay attention... They're trying to do the best, in their opinion and with their knowledge and with their data, what's the best for the city."
While Mayor Anderson believes it only makes sense to zone the land as commercial, voters might have the final say.
"If the only way we can get a majority or figure out what the majority wants is through a vote, then that's the way we'll do it," said Mayor Anderson.
Although the current controversy is not whether Walmart should move in to Bella Vista, the recent rezoning issue stemmed from that possibility.
Chris Neeley, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for the retailer, gave this statement.
"We continue our due diligence on the site in the hopes of bringing a new Walmart Neighborhood Market to Bella Vista. We think our store fits within the city's existing land use plan, will help generate much needed revenue and most of all, serve as a solution for residents who want more affordable grocery options close to where they live and work."
Click here to read more about this controversial topic.
