Since the supporting materials and studies submitted by the Wal-Mart developer to a permitting entity were written and prepared by consultants paid for by the Wal-Mart developer, some communities have been creative enough to develop “peer review” provisions. A peer review provision requires review and criticism of the developer’s studies and reports by outside, independent experts to help determine what the true impacts of a Wal-Mart project will be.

These provisions are a good way to keep the Wal-Mart developer and his consultants honest and to offer an alternative view. Check to see if your community or regional planning agency has peer review provisions and if it does not, encourage the relevant oversight department (usually the zoning and/or planning staff) to develop them. The usual framework involves town employees or outside experts hired by the town that are charged with reviewing the submittals of Wal-Mart developers. While the results of these peer reviews may not stop a Wal-Mart development by themselves, it is always good policy to have “another set of eyes” take a look at Wal-Mart project submittals, and get a more realistic picture of the impacts.