SIMI VALLEY : Wal-Mart Issue Placed on Ballot

The Simi Valley City Council has voted 3 to 2 to let voters decide Nov. 2 whether a proposed Wal-Mart store can be built before a regional mall is constructed nearby.

The ballot measure focuses on a 32-acre parcel north of the Simi Valley Freeway just east of 1st Street, where the discount chain is considering putting a new store.

The city has reserved the land just east of this site for a regional mall, but that project has been stalled by the downturn in the economy. Under present planning rules, the mall must be built before any adjacent stores, such as the proposed Wal-Mart.

Mayor Greg Stratton and Councilwomen Judy Mikels and Sandi Webb voted late Monday to make the ballot measure binding. Council members Bill Davis and Barbara Williamson wanted it to be an advisory vote, giving the council a final say on the timing of the Wal-Mart.

The giant retailer agreed to pay the cost of an election and submitted proposed wording for the ballot measure. However, the council deleted numerous provisions concerning parking, lighting, signs and landscaping, saying the ballot measure should focus only on the timing of the project.

Critics say the city will have trouble attracting a mall if the Wal-Mart is built first.

The retailer has until July 7 to notify the city if it no longer wants to proceed with the ballot measure.