BLAINE, Minn., — (Dec. 12, 2013) — This week the Blaine Planning Commission held a public hearing about the proposed Wal-Mart development near Lexington and 35-W. The council chambers were packed with residents wanting to share their opinion on the project with the commission. Most of the comments dealt with traffic, noise, road improvements, and the store’s proposed 24 hour operation.
After hearing from many residents the Planning Commission decided to recommend approval of the preliminary plat but did not make a recommendation about the conditional use permit needed for the Wal-Mart development.
The Planning Commission is an advisory board to the City Council and does not make any formal decisions they only forward their recommendations onto the council. By not making a recommendation regarding the conditional use permit the commission is basically leaving the entire decision up to the council.
Blaine city staff told North Metro TV that this has happened before on other controversial projects. There will be another neighborhood meeting for residents living south of Ball Road on Jan. 7 and the City Council will take up the proposal on Jan. 16.
