Walmart Hearing Expected to Draw Giant Growd, Moves to Firehouse Arts Center

A controversial hearing over Walmart's plan to open a grocery store in Pleasanton is expected to draw overflow crowds, prompting city officials to move the discussion from City Hall to the much bigger .

The theater seats about 250 people — about 140 more than would fit in the City Council chamber.

The Planning Commission meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday (instead of Wednesday, when the meetings normally take place).

The department store giant plans to open a small "neighborhood market" grocery store inside the old Nob Hill spot on Santa Rita Road, which has been long vacant.

Critics say that a Walmart grocery will take business away from local stores like , or even a possible , which could go inside the anchor spot at Vintage Hills Shopping Center.

The planning commission will hear two residents' appeal of a zoning administrator's approval of the Walmart plan. But city staffers have said the plan would be consistent with the city's zoning regulations and general plan, and the expectation is that the appeal will be denied, paving the way for the store.

Though unions and some residents are opposed to the plan, many business owners at the Meadow Plaza Shopping Center said they would like to see the vacant spot filled. Nearby businesses benefit from a new store coming in, they say, because those customers will often drop off drycleaning, get their hair cut or dip into a lunch spot after picking up groceries.

"It's better than just leaving that spot empty," said Kris More, who works in a nearby hair salon.

"The question is, do you want a new store there or do you want it to sit there deteriorating? People don't want these big companies to come in, but look at Safeway — it's really the same type of thing.

"People are living in a dream world," she added. "They think Pleasanton is this small community, but it simply isn't anymore."

However, others say that with the new , plus the new Fresh & Easy, and the possible New Leaf, a Walmart grocery store is simply not needed in town.

Meanwhile, many business owners in the Meadow Plaza Shopping Center said they are opposed to the Walmart plans because they worry about traffic, parking and crime that Walmart could bring in. None wanted to speak on the record with Patch, however, because their customers are so divided on the issue.

And regarding New Leaf, while company representatives came to the city a few months ago to discuss a market at Vintage Hills, the city has not received an application yet, said Pamela Ott, the city's economic development director). So, there is no timeline yet on that project.

For information about Monday's Planning Commission meeting, click here.