Wal-Mart FAQs

Wal-Mart FAQs

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Generally speaking, nothing. You are asking for a, or a series of, traffic mitigations. Traffic mitigations can only be required if there is a Conditional Use Permit process. (See Question 2)

That's a good question. The Los Angeles Zoning code was written in 1956. It has never been completely revised since then, but has been amended in an ad hoc fashion. So a group of neighbors thought large houses were a problem and found a way to require Conditional Use Permits for those.

Both proposed Altadena Wal-Mart locations are zoned C-3. Under a C-3 zoning designation, there are several listed uses that may come in 'by right" meaning that if they meet certain standards, they can not be required to obtain a Conditional Use Permit and do not have to go through that process, even if they have far more impact on the public than your neighbors kitchen. No one ever said the regulations were sane.  A grocery store, that does not sell alcohol, is one of those permitted "by Right" uses. As long as they have parking of 1 per each 250 Sq.Ft of floor area, and one for every three seats for dining, and do not exceed the 37 foot tall height limitation in the Community Standards Districts that govern Lincoln and Lake, at the present time they do not require a Conditional use Permit. It doesn't make sense, but it is the law as it exists.

Nothing. The only legal mechanism the County of Los Angeles has for regulating the hours of operation is through the Conditional use permit process. No Conditional use permit is required for this project. (See question 2)

No. We can make a request. The only way that the County can require security guards is through a Conditional Use Permit process. No Conditional Use Permit is required for this project. (See question 2)

Nothing. The only way that the County can regulate truck delivery hours is through a Conditional Use Permit process. No Conditional use permit is required for either proposed Wal-Mart location in Altadena. (See question 2)

Nothing. Truck Routes to and from a business can only be regulated through a Conditional Use Permit process. No Conditional use Permit is required for either Wal-Mart site proposed in Altadena. (See question 2)

We can ask the Altadena Town Council to request the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors change the law, and we can make that request directly also. Basically we would ask the Board of Supervisors to declare a moratorium on all new occupancy permits or building permits for chain stores having a footprint of over 15,000 square feet while the county studies if Conditional use permits are needed to protect the public and to regulate hours of operation, truck routes, truck delivery hours, on site security, and so forth. If so they would then write a regulation protecting the public from these large impactful users, just as they have protected the public from things like Kitchen remodels and car ports. SAVE ALTADENA will start a petition drive to the Board Of Supervisors for a moratorium beginning 18 July 2012.