Lowe’s And Wal Mart Expansion E.I.R. Updates

Sonora, CA — According to City Administrator Greg Applegate the proposed Lowe’s Home Improvement Store is one step closer to reality.

Written comments from the public were closed January 20. The consultant is expected to have the final environmental impact report finalized by late April or early May. At that time the report will be submitted to the Planning Commission for final certification.

Lowe’s would be located on property located West of Old Wards Ferry Rd. just south of the railroad tracks. California Gold Development Corporation would build the structure and lease it back to Lowe’s. It has been estimated by Lowe’s that 120 fulltime jobs would be created. In addition both the city and the county would realize in the neighborhood of $500,000 annually from the increased tax base.

Wal Mart is continuing its plans for a 29,000 square foot grocery section to be added to the east side if the current store. According to Applegate the draft environmental impact report should be issued in the next 30-60 days. That report will then be circulated to the public for both oral and written comments. Those comments would be submitted to a consultant who would then draft the final environmental impact report to be submitted to the Planning Commission.

Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com