City Says 'No' To Wal-Mart Again

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. -- A three-year fight over a proposed new Wal-Mart store in the Zionsville area came to an end Monday night, for now.

The city's planning commission rejected the retailer's long-held plans to build an 18,000-square-foot store on U.S. 421, 6News' Ericka Flye reported.

Wal-Mart first proposed the idea three years ago but was rejected after objections by residents and local merchants.

"I fought it last time. The big boxes are good about wearing you out," said resident Drew Kogan.

Two years ago, Zionsville's planning commission shot down a petition for Wal-Mart to move in, saying they didn't have jurisdiction because a portion of the land was in a different county.

A judge disagreed and put the plan back in the hands of the commission, which wasted no time Monday in rejecting it again.

"I'm happy. It just doesn't fit in with Zionsville, I feel," said resident Lee McClellan. "We have so many little shops."

Dory Kramer, who works at Earth Explorer Toys, one of many quaint shops that line the city's streets, is concerned about how Wal-Mart might change the retailing landscape.

"I am certain that more crime would come this way," Kramer said. "I don't think it would be advantageous to what we want to present as a community."

A Wal-Mart spokesman said the company will explore options and believes the tide of opposition has turned.

"I would not be surprised if Wal-Mart would file an appeal of tonight's decision," said Patrick Hess, an attorney for the Zionsville commission.

"The economy such as we're experiencing now -- Wal-Mart has had a surge in customers," said Jason Wetzel, of Wal-Mart.

Some residents who support the retailer contend that having a Wal-Mart in the area will lower the tax base.