But it might be for naught. An economic-impact study showed that - with the exception of too many grocery stores - Centerville can support the additional retail demand.

Fisher and pollsters met Wednesday on the steps of Centerville City Hall to deliver the results of the poll right before planning commissioners heard economic forecasters report the city could generate between $475,000 and $800,000 in sales tax revenues each year if Wal-Mart locates there.

City officials wouldn't admit Fisher's poll into record, saying it violated the mission of the planning commission, which is to see if Wal-Mart's plans meet with current city codes.

“We understand this poll is important to the community,' said Cory Snyder, Centerville's community and economic development director. “Unfortunately, to change the zoning at this time would be inappro- priate.'

That did not come as news to Fisher. He said he just wanted city officials to know they had “let the citizens of Centerville down'

Previous reports to the planning commission said opposition to the big-box store was limited to people living in a nearby housing development and a few activists.

Results of the telephone survey of 400 Centerville homes, conducted by Salt Lake City-based Insight Research, showed that 73 percent of those polled opposed Wal-Mart, 17 percent favored the store and 10 percent had not opinion. The poll had an error margin of 4.7 percent.

“Seventy-three percent is not a small margin,' Fisher said. “We just want these city officials to know that this goes against the wishes of their constituents.'

As for the economic-impact study, officials commissioned it as part of an 11-point list of criteria all building permit applicants are expected to meet.

The study showed that a Wal-Mart would draw regular customers from North Salt Lake to Farmington, said economic analyst Jason Burningham. He also pointed out that, just as when Super Target located in Centerville, there would be a “three-year decline' in revenues of neighboring businesses that would level out over time.

He said the city could expect to spend $80,000 more a year on public safety to control the increased traffic and crime that would come with additional retail.

lorib@sltrib.com