Lafayette

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Lafayette - February 16, 2007

WANEKA/LOWE’S ANNEXATION VOTE RESULTS DUE FEBRUARY 27

The controversial annexation election in Lafayette heads to a close on Tuesday, February 27. The annexation of 32-acres of the Waneka family farm parcel south of Colo. 7 at 119th Street has torn the community apart over land preservation versus allowing Lowe’s Home Improvement to construct a nearly 200,000 square foot Center on the site. A group opposing the annexation, Preserve Lafayette’s Eastern Edge, has been pitted against Vote Yes For Lafayette. Recently, Erie Mayor Andrew Moore mudded the political waters by proposing the Lowe’s locate along U.S. 287 at the Erie/Lafayette border instead and that the two communities share the sales tax revenue generated by Lowe’s. Moore’s proposal suggests expanding the development to include additional retail and mixed use elements. The pro annexation campaign has largely been financed and managed by Lowe’s corporate offices. The campaign has been insensitive to local sentiment and has been characterized as incompetent. This observer agrees. Look for the annexation to go down by a significant margin.