Judge to Rule in Wal-Mart Case Against City of Reno

A local judge is preparing to rule on Wal-Mart’s lawsuit against Reno over the denial of a special use permit for a new superstore.

After a three-hour hearing Friday, Washoe District Judge Steven Kosach said he’ll issue a decision as soon as possible.

In November 2000, the City Council voted to reject Wal-Mart’s bid to build a 207,000-square-foot store in northwest Reno, citing concerns about increased traffic congestion.

Deputy City Atty. Marilyn Craig argued that the city has a right to protect the public, saying opening the store before McCarran Boulevard is widened would threaten the safety of motorists.

A group of neighboring residents opposes the project.

But Wal-Mart lawyer Stephen Mollath said the company should be allowed to build once it pays an estimated $685,000 in fees for traffic improvements.

He said the store is properly zoned and planned and that a bigger project was approved for the site years before.