Great Indoors

Opponents of a planned Walmart in Burbank drew upon the strength of unions Tuesday night to give the noisiest local protest yet to the mega-retailer. More than 100 people, bolstered by the organized support of labor unions, swarmed outside Burbank City Hall before the City Council meeting, using a loudspeaker to sound off on the idea of a Walmart next to the Empire Center. In a show of how the labor movement has latched on to the cause, about 30 members of Warehouse Workers United - which advocates for better working conditions in Inland Empire distribution centers - marched down Olive Avenue to the beat of a snare drum to join the protest.

The year 2013 is already shaping up to be a busy year, with several issues rooted in the past expected to come to fruition. While the year ahead will no doubt unleash its own bounty of surprises, here are some issues we can all count on happening in 2013. Citywide elections Six candidates will be vying for three seats on the Burbank City Council in the February primary. Incumbents Jess Talamantes, David Gordon and Dave Golonski will face three challengers - Juan Guillen, David Nos and Robert Frutos.

Karen S. Kim MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH -- Retailers in the 103-acre Burbank Empire Center have been progressively opening their doors over the past two months, just in time for the approaching holiday shopping season. But they're not done yet. Nearly 25 businesses are still scheduled to open before the retail portion of the $250-million center is complete. One is the much-awaited Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, opening Dec. 11. "We think this is a terrific community for Krispy Kreme," said Richard Reinis, chief executive officer for corporate parent Great Circle Family Foods.

Molly Shore Members of the Burbank Advisory Council on Disabilities have compiled a list of obstacles they say challenge disabled people attempting to shop or dine at the Burbank Empire Center. According to Janet Diel, chairwoman of the advisory council's Barrier Committee, the panel has noted several different obstructions they say need to be corrected by the developer of the nearly 1.3-million-square-foot shopping center. "Beginning at the Great Indoors, the parking and walkway areas onto the sidewalk leading to Best Buy present challenges for the blind and for people in wheelchairs because trees and planters in this area are impediments to safely crossing through the area," Diel said at the advisory council's Sept.

The following incidents were taken from police reports: MEDIA DISTRICT NORTH 1301 N. Victory Place: Two unidentified men allegedly stole a 42-inch plasma-screen TV from The Great Indoors on Sunday. The men reportedly placed the item into a shopping cart, covered it with blankets and pillows, exited the store and drove off in a blue sport-utility vehicle. Police are still investigating the incident. SOUTH SAN FERNANDO DISTRICT 916 S. San Fernando Blvd.

Woman reports being raped HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- A Burbank woman was allegedly raped by an acquaintance, but police released very few details about the incident because it is still under investigation. The alleged sexual assault occurred Tuesday night inside a home in the Hillside District area. Police would not disclose the location or circumstances of the attack. Police officials, however, did say the woman knew the man who attacked her. The woman went to the police station late Tuesday night to report the incident, police said.

Paul Clinton CIVIC CENTER -- Plans to include an auto dealership in the Burbank Empire Center development have collapsed, leaving city officials frustrated by the latest failure to bring car-and-truck sales to Burbank. Empire Center developer Zelman Development Companies continues to negotiate with CAG Investments to bring a Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealership to the $200-million retail center, city officials said. But the prospects of securing the deal look bleak.

On Wednesday, Sept. 5 a letter was published in the Burbank Leader stating that we should forget a Walmart and that Burbank should look into a Whole Foods Market instead. Well, oppositionists blocked a Whole Foods Market from opening in Burbank years ago. As I recall, they complained of the same kind of traffic issue then as has been used in the Walmart case today. During their effort to get the city to deny the Walmart permits, oppositionists submitted a petition signed by 2,000 persons.

The Burbank City Council this week cleared the way for Walmart to open a new store near the Empire Center, leaving opponents with few options other than legal action to stop the world's largest retailer from moving in. On Tuesday, more than 100 people - bolstered by the support of labor unions - rallied outside City Hall and then crammed into the council chambers to protest the planned Walmart. The show of opposition failed to sway city officials, who say zoning codes allow the Walmart to open so there's little they can do. Opponents have been trying to force Walmart to conduct an economic impact review and the city to carry out major improvements to road infrastructure around the former Great Indoors site before approving the building plans.

Three local residents have filed a lawsuit against the city to stop a Walmart from opening in Burbank, alleging the city illegally cleared the way to issue building permits to the world's largest retailer without adequately investigating the store's environmental impact. After months of public outcry that included protests and opposition voiced at City Council meetings, Shanna Ingalsbee, Katherine Olson and Yvette Ziraldo filed the lawsuit Friday through their attorney, Gideon Kracov, who also represents United Food and Commercial Workers Union, Local 770. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges that the city has yet to make street improvements that were required before building permits could be issued for any new businesses in, or adjacent to, the Empire Center, according to a resolution approved by the City Council in June 2000.