[RGSpincich]

As for "playing politics," Wal-Mart knows that the community has planned for retail of no more than 64,000 sq. ft.

Not exactly. 64,000 sf plus 18,000 sf plus "other stores" could easily equal what Walmart has proposed. In addition, no grocery chain was interested in entering the complex, Walmart will now offer grocery items.

A 2003 development agreement between the city and the Lewis Group of Sacramento calls for a retail center with a 64,000-square-foot store, an 18,000-square-foot store and other stores, according to Hercules Community Development Director Steve Lawton.

[WildHorseCrash]

Not exactly. 64,000 sf plus 18,000 sf plus "other stores" could easily equal what Walmart has proposed. In addition, no grocery chain was interested in entering the complex, Walmart will now offer grocery items.

It's equal in total square footage, but that's irrelevant. The plan precludes any one store from being more than 64,000 square feet. Neither of Wal-Mart's proposals met that criteria, as they both envisioned Wal-Mart's store as being approximately 35,000 to 80,000 sq. feet bigger. So long as Wal-Mart is insisting on making its store larger than the plan, then it -- and not the town -- is holding up this development (which Wal-Mart itself said is necessary.)