LEHT Wal-Mart plan draws opposition
By ROB SPAHR
Staff Writer, 609-978-2012
Published: Friday, May 02, 2008
LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - Wal-Mart's first presentation to the Planning Board was greeted Thursday night by a crowd of residents largely opposed to the planned superstore on Route 9.The store itself, which would be more than 151,000 square feet including a 6,300-square-foot garden center, would be located on the southbound side of Route 9 approximately 700 feet north of Otis Bog Road.William F. Harrison, one of the attorneys for Wal-Mart, explained that the store would offer everything that other large Wal-Mart locations in New Jersey offer but would not be nearly one of largest stores in the state, in terms of area. The developers also plan to put a bank on the property.The plans introduced did not include details on traffic patterns, environmental effects or store operations, because the meeting was only an informal presentation of the plans.Mayor Scott Stites spoke for the concerns he said he's heard from many residents when he told the applicants that he was worried about the store's ability to fit into the aesthetic theme the township has planned for that section of Route 9.
"We don't want a Route 72," Stites said of the commercial area along Route 72 in nearby Stafford Township where another Wal-Mart is located.Many residents applauded Stites' statement, as they did every statement critical of the planned store.When the public had its chance to question the applicants, most focused on concerns regarding traffic, stormwater runoff and excess lighting, as well as the effect the store would have on nearby "mom and pop" stores."I've seen it happen in the Midwest where a Wal-Mart comes in, and it drives the mom-and-pops out of business. I don't want to see it happen over here in our town," said Hank Gibney.Patricia Kloc presented the Planning Board with several past instances where Wal-Mart had to pay hefty fines for polluting and contaminating nearby waterways."There is a history here. And it's not what I want to see happen to our little town," she said.Some residents did express approval for the Wal-Mart, however."Personally, I'm glad (to see Wal-Mart coming). I'm tired of being held hostage by the one small grocery store we have here in Little Egg Harbor," Bill Armitage said.Other residents talked about past charitable help the Wal-Mart in Stafford Township provided them.But those comments were seldom.For every "I am opposed to Wal-Mart" comment there was, the Planning Board's attorney Joseph D. Coronato reminded the public that the property is zoned for "commercial use" and that the board couldn't deny any applicant simply because it doesn't like it."That just speaks of discrimination," said Coronato, adding that the board could take into consideration issues pertaining to the health, safety, welfare of residents as well as other environmental, traffic circulation and drainage factors. Coronato said there is no date set for Wal-Mart's next appearance in front of the Planning Board. But when all of the plans are reviewed, the applicant will be required to advertise the meeting again.To e-mail Robert Spahr at The Press:RSpahr@pressofac.com
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