I don't live anywhere near Wal-Mart. However, if there was someone/thing violating regulations in my neighborhood, I would certainly hope that the regulations were being enforced by the appropriate officials.

the only ones crying are the ones living behind Walmart. Maybe the rvs should park on the roads next to all those houses out there. If I had an RV I would.

momof5--All I'm trying to do is state the facts, not what might happen if a clause were not in a certain permit.

sfcm: absolutely not does Wal-Mart's nationwide policy trump city zoning regs. If Wal-Mart agreed to it in the conditional use permit, then so be it. What I was trying to do was "calm the fears" of those who were worrying about riff raff, a makeshift campground, and other negatives occuring all because RVs were parking at the new site. RVs parked at the old site with little to no incident, and if the clause wasn't in the new permit for the new site, it would be my guess nothing (or very little) negativities would have occured at the new site either.

ahahaha

I do understand the concern, if we let someone stay what keeps us from keeping the parkinglot full of campers??

Still this is funny to me

"That violates the conditional-use permit approved by the plan commission when it OK'd Wal-Mart's site plan before it opened a year ago."
Does the nationwide policy of Wal-Mart trump Janesville's rules, regulations and zoning? Does it stand to reason that the city is harping on the big box?

A lot of people are missing the point. This isn't a new phenom. It happened at the old site, it happens in Madison, it happens in Beloit. It is a NATIONWIDE policy of Wal-Mart (for once the housewife is right!). Obviously if most posting on here didn't know that, it would stand to reason that there never was an issue at the old location after how many years? 10+! I agree with serdan946, this is just an excuse to harp on the big box.

I agree that most rv owners are very responsible and I do not mean to imply that they are not, but with all the rvs out there, I am betting there are enough irresponsible or desperate people to cause a problem. The next thing will be people parking trailers full of undocumented day laborers.

99.9% of RV'ers practice this code of ediquete...
Industry-Sanctioned Code of Conduct
(RVers’ Good Neighbor Policy)
1. Stay one night only!
2. Obtain permission from a qualified individual.
3. Obey posted regulations.
4. No awnings, chairs, or barbecue grills.
5. Do not use hydraulic jacks on soft surfaces (including asphalt).
6. Always leave an area cleaner than you found it.
7. Purchase gas, food, or supplies as a form of thank you, when feasible.
8. Be safe! Always be aware of your surroundings and leave if you feel unsafe.

Since most of the people are over 50 and pretty
sound citizens I don't think this is a threat to the community. It is a "nitpicking" item brought forth by the local people who will find
any excuse to harp on the big box.

If this were allowed to continue, it would only be a matter of time before a small rv village established itself in the parking lot.

Okay. A one night stop wouldn't hurt anybody. Especially if it were something that Wal Mart regulated. Say getting a dated pass from the service desk or something.

I also think its silly that people think RV travelers have no place to stop while on the road. Last I knew, there were rest stops and truck stops along the highways. Places actually MEANT for travelers to stop and grab a couple hours sleep and a meal or whatever.

Bunyan.... Some people just have nothing better to do than to stick their nose where it doesn't belong. Jump on the bandwagon for a cause that has no affect on them their family or friends, yet inconveniences more people than it actually harms. Thousands of "charities" are based on this principal alone.

I would like to hear from actual neighbors of Wal-mart on why in the world they care whether an RV is parked in Walmart's parking lot for 1 hour or 12 hours?

The subject here isn't spelling, and I'd guess by your name 'Hillbilly'...you may be a WalMart shopper as well.

OH MY GOODNESS!! People need to just relax a bit. Can you imagine how tough it is for any retail chain or store to snowplow at night with those big things in the parking lots? And those stores own the parking lot so shouldn't they get to decide if people get to "camp", rest or sell their autos on their property? Can I sleep in my car in these lots? No, I don't think so, I'd be removed as well. And those who own RV's should become well informed when traveling or living that lifestyle. And for gosh sakes, we have Rest areas and such...sleep there. Lock your RV and rest for two hours. Then head to walmart for your BBQ supplies.

Ever notice how many of Janesville's citizens
worry about what everyone else is doing? What bother is someone parked to get rest while travelling? Hey, they may even spend a few dollars in this big, charge-for-all town. As for trucks...ever been to the TA and seen the parking there? It's full, Oasis is gone, truckers have to stop after so many hours of driving. If a driver had an early morning delivery in town, where is he suppose to go? I bet you would be happy to let him park if you needed what was in his trailer.

what a waste of time chase around rv should they be checking on the gang/drug troble but whit we have no gang troble

you know it wasn't all that long ago but there was a dumpy camp grounds overthere and no one seem to care. Now they put stores over there and they dont like all thoughs stores and people. Well maybe we need to bull doz it all all over again and put up a dumpy camp grounds again

I will make sure that I never spend another $ with a Janesville business other than Walmart. 35 years of RVing have taught me to appreciate Walmart for their friendly attitude toward RVs. I make sure to shop Walmart first and only go elsewhere if they do not have what I need.

Overnight RV parking. Just another reason to not go to walmart.

This store is nothing but a sweat shop supporting, outsourcing, most likely anti-Christian, pain in the butt. They have forty checkout lanes, and never are there more than 10 open. Almost everything they buy comes from other countries, and is made from the cheapest quality junk! Their meat is borderline poisonous, and the other food stinks too. They only hire their employees on a part-time basis, so they don't have to pay them benefits. So why shop there anyway?

Janesville is turning into more of a picky town just like Madison!! And as far as poeple dumping trash in the storm sewer at a Wal-Mart in ILLINOIS,well thats just the same way they Ill-annoy us here!!

My guess the City officials are trying to segregate Janesville from being labeled as another Walmart lot lizzard haven. Perhaps Walmart should consult the 15 yr old slave children and their families about the entire policy as a whole? That is after they return from a 19 hour days work, and cash their $15.00 dollar paycheck...

I would rather see them sleeping in the WalMart parking lot than falling asleep at the wheel dying when then they lose control of their RV. Who is it hurting? I am sure it is also great for tourism - Unfriendly Janesville.

this is kinda funny. walmart calls jpd on rv parked in lot,police get there no one answers the door,police are getting ready to write ticket up comes rv family pushing carts full of groceries,they were in store shopping.this really did happen.

The sign in the lot says parking for sleeping is PROHIBITED. We have laws and regulations for a reason. If the speed limit sign says 55mph, then I guess it will be ok for me to go as fast as I want to. It's to bad that they can't park there. But if they don't want to follow the rules than maybe we all don't have to follow the rules.

I wish that was the biggest issue in my life: calling the JPD non-emergency number because I suspect an RV is camping overnight! It can be viewed as tacky--I get that. Now get over it!

It kind of figures the over night parking would only be banned in Janesville, WI. Who is it hurting? May even be good for highway safety that folks can pull off and rest a bit in a safe well lit place. It was done all the time at the old Wal-Mart and not a complaint was heard. Now it's Federal Offense with the cops checking nightly. Then again the city hasn't been real friendly to Wal-Mart since they built the new place, balking on their liquor license now harassing the RV crowd.

Mikki- I would guess a good deal of them are snowbird or retirees.

what i think that they should do is that when it is during the graveyard shifts when barely any people are shoping at the wal-mart center, they should have guards to patrol the parking lot exposing campers and giving them a warning.
and if the problem persists then have a citation given. but all in all. if your giong to open a wal mart 24 hours a day then whats the big deal with resting or taking a quick stop to replenish ones self with variables of delights hidden in the store. because if it is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week then there should be no problem.if the manager of wal-mart was smart then he/she should make overnight campers pay atleast a little cover charge of lets say 5.00-10.00 dollars or so. hey look at it this way
its better than haveing the police give the wal-mart manager a big fine
and better to pay5-10 for an overnight stay
-simon

It's a nationwide policy of Wal-Mart to provide a safe free one night stay for Rv'ers.
I wonder why the city council didn't consider that when allowing the zoning for this store.

Rules are rules. Show a little compassion for the people who live near by and were there before the store was built. If there's no camping allowed in Janesville, then I guess the RV's can go a few more miles down the interstate to the next Wal Mart.

I'm wondering how many of these RV owners are senior citizens, Snowbirds, trying to get down south?

I think most RV camp grounds are closed in the winter

JvlResident--there is no wall in front of Wal-Mart, though. And perhaps the neighbors who have concerns include the businesses in front of Wal-Mart. Are you suggesting that camping for free in a lot is creating commerce? Maybe they'll shop at Wal-Mart, but maybe not. If they aren't spending money for the stalls they're sleeping in, what is the guarantee that they'll meander into Janesville's Wal-Mart to spend their hard-earned money?

I agree with wahoo--Live the RV lifestyle in an RV campground, not a parking lot. Or drive to the next Wal-Mart down the road--they are everywhere!

wahoo, most of the campgrounds in the area are closed for the winter.

If I remember right, a RV is a camper and there are campgrounds, why don't the owners of these RV go there. I would love to drive to the dells and stay in a hotel for free, but it does not work that way. If you want to enjoy the RV lifestye, go where they belong, the campgrounds, and not store parking lots.

Walmart has been known to RV'ers as a place to stop if a break or nap was needed. It's not like people are intentionally planning to go camping at the Walmart parking lot! Another city of Janesville ban on something that's in place to help people! Way to go city "leaders" (term used very loosly)!!! Citizens, please remember these candidates when voting next term!

I think the wall is high enough behind Walmart that none of the citizens in that neighbor hood should be troubled. NOT to mention if they eat or shop in Rock County we have a county sales tax and jobs that benefit. Lets get off the horse and create commerse.

I agree, Moby and Stacey. Perhaps if there were a small fee that could be paid...who knows. But I know I would appreciate giving tired travellers a break. The rest areas can be a frightening place.

I don't think the conditional permit prohibits people from catching an hour or two of sleep in the parking lot--it's the people camping overnight that is the problem (or at least that is what the article states). The neighbors of the new Wal-Mart voiced a concern and in order to have a conditional-use permit put into place, the city had to hear the concerns of the neighbors. I think it's a good thing that the city listened to the neighbors during the relocation process and considered their concerns. If it was that important to Wal-Mart for their parking lot to be used for overnight camping, they should have looked elsewhere. It takes two parties to come to an agreement for a permit, doesn't it?

So what if they park there to grab a couple of hours of sleep !! I would feel much safer if I knew that there was a well rested person behind the wheel of one of those big bus's.. I have seen first hand what one of those could do if it ran off the road and hit something or some one..

Maybe if the city could figure out a way to charge the RV people a fee, then it would be OK. Way to go Janesville, must be great to be one of the few that does't allow this courtesy to the travelers!!!

they sure did, gabycams! remember the whole left side of the parking lot, nearest to t.0he
old Meyer's was an RV haven!

Seems like they didn't have this kind of problem at the old Walmart site.