David Putnam, a former Centerville resident who is appealing the city's decision to grant Wal-Mart a conditional-use permit, says the proposed 209,000-square-foot store would work against the city's Historic Sites Committee's efforts.

First lady Laura Bush is honorary chairwoman of Preserve America, the foundation that makes the designation and offers grants to communities interested in preserving their heritage.

"The giant superstore would not be appropriate and would affect the safety in the heart of a historic community," Putnam says.

Maybe not, says Danielle Burgoyne, chairwoman of the city's Historic Sites Committee. She applied for the designation in November. Though she has yet to hear back from Preserve America foundation, Burgoyne says, the Wal-Mart dispute should not affect its selection.

"We have a lot of other retail in our city and it didn't play a role in our application," she says. "I don't believe Wal-Mart has any bearing on the decision."

Centerville does not have a single historical district, but it does have more than 35 pioneer-era homes on the national and state historic registries.

Burgoyne says she hopes Putnam's suggestion does not affect the city's chances.

"If we did get [a designation from the first lady]," Burgoyne says, "it would give us a real boost."

lorib@sltrib.com