Los Baños has two commercial projects that may be approved before the end of the year.</p><p>Planning Director Paula Fitzgerald said, depending on scheduling, the Planning Commission will see a site plan for Rally’s in October and review plans for Wal-Mart to expand to a supercenter in December or January.</p><p>Fitzgerald said Rally’s, which is a double drive through fast food restaurant, is planning to locate at the intersection of Mercey Springs Road and Pacheco Boulevard, where a defunct gas station exists now.</p><p>“If they get approval it (will be opened) by the first part of next year or for sure by June. It depends on the construction schedule,” Fitzgerald said.</p><p>She said the Rally’s project is currently under environmental review and the Planning Department is working with representatives of the fast food chain to incorporate the city’s design standards into the site plan.</p><p>On its Web Site Rally’s boasts of being the nation’s largest chain of double drive through restaurants, claiming more than 800 locations.</p><p>Fitzgerald said today she will meet with representatives from Wal-Mart to discuss possible changes to its EIR. </p><p>In August of 2008 the big-box store filed papers with the city stating its desire to expand to a supercenter. Representatives from Wal-Mart have spent the past few months gauging public interest in the project.</p><p>Last year Wal-Mart spokesman Aaron Rios told the Enterprise that the store on the 1500 block of Pacheco Boulevard had exceeded sales expectations. </p><p>Becoming a supercenter means Wal-Mart will make fresh food items available for its customers. A deli, bakery and fresh meat products section will be added to the store.</p><p>According to Wal-Mart’s Web site, its average supercenter is 65,000 square feet larger than its discount stores. Because Wal-Mart will need to add on to its existing building it may take a year or more before the supercenter is operating in Los Baños.</p><p>Fitzgerald said lately businesses are more willing to move forward with projects than they were six months ago.</p><p>It almost seems like things are loosening up,” Fitzgerald said.</p><p>Enterprise staff writer Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or cpride@losbanosenterprise.com