HERMISTON – Memphis-based auto-parts retailer AutoZone has begun the permit process to build a 7,000-square-foot store here, City Planner Clint Spencer said Friday.

The store would be located between the Cottage Flowers and Norco Gases and Supplies on Highway 395 north of town.

The city is taking public comment on the application to build the store for the next two weeks, Spencer said, who added that he doesn’t foresee any problems for the company during the permitting process, which will evaluate the increase in traffic the store is likely to generate.

The store will still need to apply for building permits, he said.

“It’s not one I see a lot of issues with,” Spencer said. “It’s on the street with the best carrying capacity in town.”

The company hopes to begin construction in June, said AutoZone spokesman Ray Pohlman. He said the store will bring 12 to 15 new jobs.

AutoZone generated $5.457 million in revenue during 2003, accord to Fortune Magazine, which ranked the company 331 in the country.

AutoZone anticipates a busy year in 2005, with plans to build 200 new stores. About 3,000 AutoZone stores are currently doing business, and Pohlman said the company could have 6,000 stores eventually.

Hermiston already has a number of auto parts stores and Umatilla has one.

When asked if this would hurt existing auto parts stores, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rod Davis replied: “I don’t see how it would help.”

Davis said AutoZone hoped to have its store open by the time Home Depot opened, sometime at the beginning of 2006.

“From day one, when people go to Home Depot, they wanted them to see an AutoZone,” he said.

Robert Smith, owner of Carquest Auto Parts in Hermiston, said most of his customers are farmers or other businesses, rather than retail.

“We’ll probably lose some retail business, but I don’t think it will hurt our core,” Smith said.

Kevin Cleaver, owner of the Hermiston Napa Auto Parts, said the addition of another auto parts store would be good for the city.

“It’s going to impact me, no about it,” he said. “We’ll just have to do better here.”

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East Oregonian Reporter Brook Griffin contributed to this report.