• Planning Commission Meeting: April 2020

Yes it was April 1st, but I didn't hear any laughter when the Walmart representative suggested that the company might change its mind about NOT coming to town. 

"They would still like to potentially come into this location" 

After a brief staff presentation that reminded the commission of the basics of the project stemming back to 2015, the applicant's representative, Matthew Nelson, came to the podium and Chair John Lloyd went straight to the money question: Walmart isn't going into this site, correct?

"Currently? No. 

They (Walmart) would like to retain the potential option because things were already changing with the construction of the new Lake Elsinore store. Some of the dynamics changed so they'd like the opportunity to have another three years to see how the market plays out. Originally we were not going to [develop the Wildomar site] but they realized that these entitlements are very valuable and this location still has some value and they would still like to potentially come into this location."

— Matthew Nelson

From the 'Letter of Justification'

Walmart, Inc. acknowledges that it previously communicated to the City in March 2019 that this project would not be going forward and that Walmart would be marketing the project site. As the City well knows, however, the current retail market is highly tumultuous and in a constant state of change. As a result, Walmart is constantly re-evaluating existing project sites and after a preliminary assessment, there is a possibility that this project could become active again. Unfortunately, it is too early in the process for Walmart to definitively state what will happen at this location, but Walmart is requesting this extension to allow for adequate time to complete this re-evaluation. Without an extension, it is highly unlikely that Walmart would go through the time and expense to again entitle the site and the only remaining option available would be to market and ultimately sell the property.

  —from Walmart's Letter of Justification for Extension of Time

To read the full letter, use this link.

It was a 4-1 vote to grant the 3 year extension, with the lone vote against coming from Commissioner Eric Filar. 

Walmart was conditioned to do a lot of improvements on Bundy Canyon Road and Monte Vista. If they flip flop and actually choose to proceed with the 2015 plan, and if at that time the road improvements have already been completed, they'll still have to pay what was previously agreed to.

All five commissioners were in attendance, with two by way of video conferencing.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

It's their land, and this is the U.S. of A. so if they want to continue this endlessly dull dance, I don't see a way to stop them. (Can you tell that I'm more than a little skeptical and apprehensive?) 

For me, until I see a shovel in the ground, I'm not going to waste another breath on this project. It's dead and buried as far as I'm concerned. 

Hey Walmart: 
I dare you to prove me wrong!

If you'd like to read previous blogs on the Walmart saga, use the keyword 'Walmart' below. Here is a link to the 2019 Walmart press release write up.

Skip to the 7:30 mark of the video to get to the start of the Walmart item.

•                •                •

“There's an old saying in Tennessee — I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again.”
– George W. Bush

Wildomar Rap has to conclude that W was talking about Walmart in the W. As this has long since become an endless bore.

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