Burbank officials to hold own meeting on planned Walmart

Dissatisfied with a recent meeting held by Walmart officials on a planned store in Burbank, residents on Tuesday called on the city to hold its own public forum.

At the Walmart community meeting Monday, hundreds of residents walked up to five stations, each manned by three to five company employees waiting to answer their questions individually. Some participants complained that the system effectively diluted their message, and prevented others from hearing the company’s response.

On Tuesday, Burbank City Manager Mike Flad said the city had tentatively scheduled its own hearing for Nov. 1, during which Walmart representatives could present their plans to the City Council.

It would also provide a forum for residents to address the City Council, while being televised on the city’s local government access channel.

-- Jason Wells and Maria Hsin, Times Community News