Stop Smoking Way

The Iowa City Council approved first consideration to allow Wal-Mart to build a new supercenter by a vote of 6-1.

At issue is Wal-Mart’s proposal to demolish its existing store and two adjacent buildings — a Staples and an abandoned Cub Foods — at 1001 Highway 1 W. and construct a 180,000-square-foot supercenter. The council must pass two more considerations for the proposal to pass.

The lone dissenting vote at Tuesday’s meeting was Councilor Mike Wright, who said he had “serious doubts” about Wal-Mart being a good corporate citizen. He also said he questioned the initial decision to allow Wal-Mart as a “gateway” into Iowa City.

Mayor Regenia Bailey said that while she does not favor big-box stores and big parking lots, this was a question of whether this is a permissible use for the land.

In order to build at the site, the council must agree to allow Wal-Mart to alter a conditional zoning agreement from when the development was initially constructed that required several businesses at the site.

Councilor Connie Champion said she supports the project because the city needs the tax revenue.

“This is a business decision — a city business decision,” she said.

Councilor Matt Hayek also favored the project for tax revenue reasons.

He said the budget already is tight for this year.

“We need growth in Iowa City. We especially need to expand our commercial tax base,” he said.

Before the council’s vote, several people from the about 50 in attendance spoke for and against Wal-Mart.

John Balmer of 10 Princeton Court said he owns a small business but thinks that the supercenter will be a plus.

“I think it will improve markedly that particular parcel of property,” he said.

Gary Sanders, chairman of Iowa City Stop Wal-Mart, released a statement to the media following the council’s decision.

“I’m hoping that three of the councilors change their mind by the third and final vote. If it passes, then and only then our lawyer will decide if there are grounds for a lawsuit,” the statement said.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council unanimously passed first consideration of an ordinance that would further restrict public smoking areas.

The ordinance would not allow smoking in a variety of places, including a portion of the pedestrian mall from the front of the Sheraton to the Iowa City Public Library, at municipal parking ramps and at some parks.

Champion said she likes that the ordinance bans smoking at playgrounds and youth sporting events, terming it “a passive education” for the city’s youth.

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Tags: Smoking ban