Plans for Stoughton's Wal-Mart Supercenter have been put on hold, according to city officials.

Wal-Mart company officials sent a letter to city leaders on Monday, notifying them of the decision.

The plan commission was supposed to consider a conditional land use permit for the company. Instead, they were read the letter which stated, "As we seek to make the best businesses decisions for the long-term growth and success of our company, we are indeed reviewing all supercenter projects."

Lisa Nelson, Wal-Mart's senior manager for public affairs in Wisconsin, said that putting Stoughton's plans on hold was part of a plan that was announced in June 2007 to moderate U.S. supercenter growth.

The company said it expects to open 195 supercenters in the U.S. in 2007, that's down 30 percent from the 281 opened during 2006, WISC-TV reported.

Company officials said projections for 2008 and 2009 call for 170 and 140 supercenters respectively, including expansions and relocations.

Stoughton city leaders said they were disappointed considering all of the work done over the past three years by city and company officials on the project.

"There are aspects of this (Stoughton) project that are not typical, and carry substantial cost -- in terms of our capital investment and in the long-term success of the store. I'm certain these will be looked at," Nelson said.

With the 2006 opening of the Janesville Wal-Mart Supercenter and the opening earlier this month of the Monona Supercenter, the company might also be reviewing whether a third supercenter is needed in the area.

"With any corporation, they only have so many customers, and I'm sure it had some effect on it, how much I don't know," said Stoughton Alderman Ron Christianson. "Again, they've worked very hard to try to bring one to Stoughton. I'm guessing they have people in their corporate offices that do the numbers and I feel like maybe they feel that one is needed here too."

Christianson said that he remains hopeful that Wal-Mart will come back to the table.

The Wal-Mart issue has been divisive in the Stoughton community. Forward Stoughton, was a group formed to oppose Wal-Mart. One member, present at Monday night's committee meeting, told city officials that she was relieved the project was on hold.

The issue has also driven many Common Council seat elections in recent years. Alderman Carl Chenoweth said that he ran for his Common Council seat one year ago because the Wal-Mart issue.

"We're kind of disappointed , but again, maybe it's a good thing so we can still evaluate some of the key points that weren't addressed, I felt, and move on from here," said Chenoweth.

Chenoweth said that while the company is re-evaluating on their side, it's a good time for the city to also re-evaluate and further study the impact of things like traffic on Highway 51 and nearby roads.

City officials said the ball is now in Wal-Mart's court and that they are ready to keep the issue moving along, if or when Wal-Mart comes back to the table.

Wal-Mart hasn't given Stoughton city leaders a time line for how long their re-evaluation process could take.