Groton Open Space Association

Groton Wal-Mart Developer Suing Town Commission

GROTON — The Day reported on March 3, in an article written by Karen Florin, Day Staff Writer, that Konover Development, the Groton Wal-Mart developer, is suing the Town Commission. The full article from The Day follows:

Groton — The proposed developer of a 200,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter off Route 184 is appealing the Planning Commission’s Feb. 15 rejection of the project.

Konover Development is filing a lawsuit in New London Superior Court claiming the commission is asking the developer to do more than the regulation requires, according to its attorney, Diane W. Whitney of Hartford. She expected the lawsuit to be served at Town Hall and on six interveners in the application on Friday afternoon.

“There is no support in the record for the findings of fact on which the Planning Commission based the denial, and they have exceed their authority,” Whitney said. “They are requiring (from Konover) standards that exceed the standards in the regulation.”

The lawsuit had not been filed in the town clerk’s office as of mid-afternoon Friday, and town planning officials could not be reached for comment.

The retail giant is attempting to relocate from its existing location on Route 184 to a 30-acre site in order to expand its offerings to include retail space, warehouse storage, a fast-food restaurant and a hardware store.

The Planning Commission deliberated the proposal at length before rejecting it 4-1. The panel listed nine reasons for the denial that related to inadequate storm-water management and the handling of hazardous materials.

Town planning staff had said the developer met all of the requirements of the water resource district. Whitney noted Friday that the project also received unanimous approval from the town’s wetlands commission.

A group of residents had opposed the project, saying it would threaten the drinking water supply, overburden local roads and lead to increases in crime and pollution.

Whitney estimated it would be eight or nine months before the appeal is heard.

–Karen Florin, Day Staff Writer (Originally printed in The Day, March 3, 2007)