Statesman editorial: Wal-Mart has work to do

On Monday, the Austin American-Statesman printed an editorial recognizing that Wal-Mart has a problem on their hands. The editorial notes:

[Many] neighborhood residents from Crestview, Allandale, North Shoal Creek, Brentwood, Rosedale and Wooten are alarmed. They note that Northcross does not sit on a major highway and fear that area streets will be overwhelmed by more traffic. (The redevelopment includes a new three-story garage for 800 cars.) Wal-Mart is a 24-hour operation, and neighbors also worry about noise, nighttime lights, property values and crime. [...]

The editorial also recognizes that the failure to work with neighbors is a big problem:

There was widespread agreement at the meeting that the city, Wal-Mart and Lincoln Property Group should have done much more outreach to area residents about what was planned. But Wal-Mart didn't need or seek any zoning changes, so no city hearing was required.

This editorial is somewhat remarkable. The Statesman editorial board generally is not that friendly to neighborhood concerns. For them to even recognize there are problems with this development is nothing short of phenomenal.

You can read the full editorial here (registration required, expires after a week).