Logan Councilwoman Tami Pyfer has received “nonstop” calls of concern from residents inside and beyond her city's borders - from nearby Providence, River Heights, Nibley and Millville. They all want to know what they can do to prevent the latest big-box store from moving to a triangular 30-acre lot between U.S. Highway 89/91, State Route 165 and Providence Lane.
“It is a legally permitted use in this zone. It doesn't even have to go to the council for approval. It can't be contested,” Pyfer said.
The public's only option is to press the Logan Planning and Zoning Commission for a good design, Pyfer said.
Logan Mayor Doug Thompson said Thursday night, after the design plans were presented to the commission at a public meeting, that the Arkansas-based company already has purchased the property and the new owners have been remarkably cooperative in the design phase by adding special features consistent with the community.
“Our staff has worked exceptionally hard with Wal-Mart to develop a project that is good for Logan, good for Cache Valley,” Thompson said.
“The site has some very special features such as mature trees, which will remain in the parking lot. It has an open stream running through it, which will not be covered. . . . They've really gone the extra mile to be good neighbors.”
Thompson said the community's second Wal-Mart will alleviate traffic congestion that contributes to dangerous levels of air pollution in the winter in Cache Valley.
“One of the big problems we have is people on the south end of the valley driving through Logan to go to Wal-Mart,” he said.
But if community activists opposed to the new store have their way, people will ignore the convenient proximity to their homes and drive right past Wal-Mart to do their shopping.
On Sept. 8, the Planning Commission will vote to give final approval for design plans. Opponents, who have organized a Web site at http://www.stoploganwalmart.com, will protest the development by picketing Logan's Main Street before speaking out against the development at the hearing at 255 North Main St. in Logan.
abrunson@sltrib.com
