I received an email from Jim Campi, of the CWPT, this afternoon. The text of the letter is below. The short version is that the Orange County Planning Commission voted 4–4 against recommending approval of the of Wal-Mart’s special use permit. As it is not a majority in favor of the special use permit, it is the same as a “NO.”
Get involved!
Mike Noirot
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August 21, 2009 – 4:30 PM EST
Planning Commission Recommends Against Special Use Permit, But Threat to Battlefield Remains
Last night, the Orange County Planning Commission voted 4-4 against recommending approval of Walmart’s special use permit at its rescheduled public hearing. Although a tie, the vote is functionally the same as a denial, since it was not approved by a majority of the commissioners. The vote is a reversal of what occurred in July, when the commission prematurely approved the application 5-4.
It is now more critical than ever for supporters of the Wilderness and historic preservation to attend Monday’s Board of Supervisors hearing, as it is important to remember that the Planning Commission is a non-binding advisory organization. The Board of Supervisors has final authority in this matter and Monday’s hearing represents the last opportunity to tell them that the Wilderness Battlefield is no place for big box sprawl. If you live within driving distance, please attend this final hearing and urge the county to find another location further from this hallowed battleground.
The hearing starts at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24, 2009, in the Orange County High School Auditorium, 201 Selma Road, Orange, Va. CWPT will have an information table set-up one hour before the hearing, and we encourage all who attend to arrive early. Click here for directions and a map of the school.
I hope we can count on your continued support in this fight to protect the Wilderness Battlefield. If you have any questions about the upcoming hearing please feel free to contact me personally at 202-367-1861 ext. 7205.
Thank you,
Jim Campi
P.S. For the latest information on the hearings, please visit CWPT’s Wilderness Walmart homepage.
