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Wal-Mart executives want to expand their store in Hood River by 30,000 feet. Not everyone likes that idea.

That includes members of the Hood River Planning Commission. They nixed Wal-Mart’s plan last year, only to have their decision overturned by the Hood River City Council in June. Opponents of the project appealed the council’s decision to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals.

LUBA kicked the decision back to the city council this month. Councilors decided this week to re-examine the Wal-Mart issue in what promises to be a raucous meeting Dec. 10.

At issue is whether the Walmart on Cascade Avenue can legally expand. LUBA ruled that city officials may not have properly considered whether Wal-Mart has the right to expand the store. Now council members face a do-over of their decision.

Councilors want to keep the December meeting as tightly focused as possible without getting into the emotions stirred by Wal-Mart and other big-box stores.

Mayor Arthur Babitz said at the Oct. 9 council meeting he wants to avoid a “circus” in December. Just resolving the legal issues is a big enough task, he said.