Residents in Homer, Alaska have a big box fight on their hands. Here’s a report from citizens who hope to freeze the project out: “Homer is the most beautiful place in the world and it’s being threatened by a Fred Meyer box store. The planning comission recommended a 20,000 foot size cap in the central business district, but one of our pro-development council members amended it to 40,000 with a conditional use permit- basically opening the door for Meyer’s. Folks have been lining up out the doors of city hall every other Monday night to say this is a stupid idea and we don’t want a box store, but it seems like they’re going to try to make it happen anyway. Right now there is a temporary (six month) 20,000 foot size cap in place while the issue gets sent back to the planning commission, and another pro-development former council member is negotiating with Meyer’s to build a store on land that he owns. I love Homer more than I could ever fully express and the thought of them ruining it in such a way breaks my heart. The cap on store size runs out in December or January, so we’re running out of time.
For local contacts in Homer, write to: [email protected]
