Groton Open Space Association

Planning Commission Study Of Wal-Mart As Yet Not Scheduled

GROTON — No schedule has been set for Planning Commission consideration of a developer’s new application to build a Wal-Mart Super Center on Route 184, Matthew Davis, town planning manager, said March 13, 2008.

Mr. Davis previously had noted that the application by Konover Development Corp., which would develop the Route 184 tract for Wal-Mart, was presented to the Planning Commission Feb. 12. The commission has 65 days from that date — or until April 17 — to act, assuming no extension of the decision period.

The Planning Commission has regular meetings on March 25 and April 8 between now and the deadline. A special meeting is a possibility.

An earlier Konover application for a Super Wal-Mart on the site — which is in the watershed of the Groton Utilities reservoir system — had been denied by the Planning Commission at its Feb. 15, 2007, meeting. Konover has appealed that decision to the New London Superior Court.

Wal-Mart would cover approximately 40% of the 38-acre site. Additional businesses ultimately would be placed on the site, but no application currently exists for these.

The Inland Wetlands Agency approved the project April 26, 2006. The new plan involves some changes that are subject to IWA approval, and an IWA hearing on these is set for April 9. Opponents are urging that the IWA review the entire project.

Mr. Davis has noted that statutes provide for automatic extensions of the Planning Commission’s deadline if the IWA hasn’t acted when the Planning Commission deadline is reached.

Wal-Mart currently has a Super Center in Waterford and a non-“Super” shopping facility in Groton on Route 184 near Route 12.

The New York Times reported March 12, 2008, that Wal-Mart has shelved plans to build a store in Monsey, NY, in Rockland County, following intense opposition by residents, who cited quality of life considerations, as well as economic issues raised by Wal-Mart’s giant size.

Opponent Christopher P. St. Lawrence, town supervisor of Ramapo, NY–which includes Monsey–said, “We’re very pro-business here, but it has to be the right business.”