Opponents, who fought against Wal-Mart's proposal to open a super center at the Alma School and Queen Creek road site claim it's not the retail giant's name that is sparking opposition, but the firm's plan to locate a "Neighborhood Market" concept on a corner that is already home to Albertsons and Bashas' grocery stores. Opponents claim a third grocery chain is sure to prompt competition that will eventually result in the closing of at least one supermarket and leave space vacant at the high-profile intersection.
Vestar Development, which in September lost its bid to build a Wal-Mart Supercenter on the 20-acre site, plans to build the Neighborhood Market along with several retail shops on the southeast corner.
City Attorney Dennis O'Neill said the city doesn't have the power to deny Wal-Mart a permit to build a Neighborhood Market on the site, which was approved for a grocery store about seven years ago. The only decision city officials can make is whether the plans comply with Chandler building codes.
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