Hurray for Planning! (And the residents that make plans work!)

Mikaela says:

HUGE news today. North Valley residents have successfully fought a supercenter Wal-Mart, thanks to a persistent, dedicated, organized grassroots citizen effort and the City's backbone to make a decision according to its own adopted plan!

But you don't have to take my word for it...

Dear North Valley Friends and Neighbors:

In case you haven't heard, Wal-Mart has decided not to appeal the recent decision by the City's Environmental Planning Commission (EPC) to deny the company's application for a Supercenter store at Osuna Road and Vista del Norte Blvd. One of the reasons the EPC cited for denying the application was its inconsistency with the North Valley Area Plan (NVAP). Consistent application of the North Valley Area Plan is important to residents of the Valley and is fundamental to the original mission of the North Valley Coalition. Thus, both the EPC's decision to deny the permit and Wal-Mart's decision not to appeal represent a victory not only for the residents of Vista Del Norte, but for the principals of the NVAP and all North Valley residents.

Please join me and the North Valley Coalition in extending a great big CONGRATULATIONS to the Vista Del Norte Alliance, the residents of the Vista Del Norte Neighborhood, and everyone else who spoke, wrote, or otherwise participated in this tremendously successful grass roots effort! For the past year and a half residents stepped forward to demand appropriate development at this location. Our efforts have raised the bar for citizen and neighborhood involvement in zoning decisions in our communities. Democracy only works when citizens are paying attention... so: GOOD WORK TEAM! And don't forget, there is more to be done to secure the site for large balloon landings and a multi-use recreational area.

For more information, please visit the VDN website: http://www.vdnalliance.org

You may also wish to contact:

• Rod Crawley, Vista del Norte Alliance, amerrod@yahoo.com
• Steve Wentworth, Alameda North Valley Association, Anvanews@aol.com

Chris Nyman Weller
President, North Valley Coalition

Email: pres@northvalleycoalition.org