Wal-Mart decision appealed

From the city of Gresham:

GRESHAM, Ore. -- On August 4, an appeal of the City of Gresham decision regarding Wal-Mart’s application to build a store at 182nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard was filed jointly by three Gresham neighborhood associations – Centennial, Southwest and Hollybrook – and Gresham First.

The decision on the Wal-Mart application was approval with conditions. The decision was appealable by citizens or neighborhood associations that supplied comments during the designated comment period of May 11-25, 2006 and/or by the applicant. The appeal period ran 12 days beginning with the issuance of the decision on July 27 and ending August 8, 2006.

A hearing date for the appeal has been set for Wednesday, September 27, at 9:30 a.m. in front of Hearings Officer Joe Turner. A notice of that hearing will be sent on September 6 to property owners and residents within 300 feet of the proposed development, surrounding neighborhood associations, and published in the Gresham Outlook.

Written testimony for the appeal should be addressed to the Hearings Officer and mailed or brought to the City of Gresham, 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy., Gresham 97030. Written testimony must be received prior to the end of the hearing on September 27; therefore citizens are advised that mailed testimony must be received by the City no later than September 26. Oral and written testimony will be accepted during the hearing.

Decisions by the Hearings Officer may be appealed to the state's Land Use Board of Appeals by applicants or by citizens with standing. Standing is achieved by providing written testimony at or before the hearing or orally at the hearing. There is a 21-day appeal period following the issuance of a decision by the Hearings Officer.

The City’s decision, including the full report and its findings, is available at www.ci.gresham.or.us.