Report: Super Walmart to significantly impact air quality

A proposed super Walmart at the RiverWalk Marketplace could have significant negative impacts on air quality and traffic, according to a newly released study.

The long awaited draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which is available for public review until May 17, assesses a variety of impacts that construction and the 188,075-square-foot store could have on noise, solid waste disposal and animals, among others. It also reviews the entire second phase of the commercial development project in southwest Porterville, which will include the construction of other retail space to be anchored by the mega retailer.

It addresses concerns stirred up more than five years ago when the project was first announced, ranging from noise and traffic issues to the corporate giant’s possible impact on small local businesses and employee wages. Developers expect that the proposed Walmart will sit on nearly 17 of the 23 acres of undeveloped land, and include 911 parking spots, a full-service supermarket, garden center, pharmacy and medical clinic, optical center, one-hour photo processing lab, portrait studio and hair and nail salons. The store will also have two spaces available for lease to a bank and fast food outlet inside the store.

While short term construction would not increase air pollution, the study forecasts that even in spite of potential mitigation measures, the new Walmart, once completed, would result in “significant” operational nitrogen oxide and Reactive Organic Gases emissions. It also predicts a significant traffic impact, but existing and proposed mitigation measures will keep traffic flow to capacity of the street system.

The noise impact will be “less than significant,” mostly to be caused during construction activity. The EIR suggests construction activity be limited to between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and that the phone number of the job superintendent be clearly posted on a sign at all construction entrances.

Written comments must be submitted by the end of the review period, and a public information meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 4 during a regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Copies of the EIR are available in the Community Development Department in City Hall, 291 N. Main St., and are available online under the “Community Development” section of the city’s Web site: www.ci.porterville.ca.us.

Contact Jenna Chandler at 784-5000, Ext. 1050, or jchandler@portervillerecorder.com.