Groton Open Space Association

Konover Asking Intervenors To Drop IWA Appeal: The Day

Groton — The following is the text of an article by reporter Katie Warchut published in The Day Jan. 14, 2009:

Neighbors and local environmentalists who opposed plans to build a Wal-Mart Supercenter on Route 184 were glad Tuesday to see an end to a project they believed would have harmed their community. Konover Development vice president Michelle Carlson confirmed Tuesday the company is dropping plans to build the Supercenter. ”We are focusing our resources on projects we can bring to closure a lot quicker,” she said.

The company dropped its options to buy the Route 184 properties and dropped its appeal of the Inland Wetlands Agency’s application denial, Carlson said.

The firm also asked the intervenors to drop their appeal of the wetlands board’s subsequent approval.

Carlson said the poor economy was a factor in the decision, and alluded to the obstacles the company has faced from land-use commissions in developing the site, which is zoned commercially but lies in the water-resource protection district.

Residents and anti-Wal-Mart unions had rallied against the project.

The Groton Open Space Association, known for opposing large developments, helped lead the charge against the project, rallying neighbors and bringing in consultants to offer evidence about environmental impact.

”We’re very gratified if this means there won’t be a large building at that sensitive site,” said GOSA President Priscilla Pratt. “Our concern is the protection of the watershed … which has an impact not only to Groton but to the whole region.”

Neighbor Michael Brown, of Spyglass Circle, said he was relieved to hear the news. He had been concerned about chemicals leaking in a location “so close to our drinking water source,” he said.

The Planning Commission denied a site plan in 2007, citing possible impacts on the watershed. Konover lost its appeal in Superior Court, but continued to pursue changes to its wetlands applications, finally getting approval in November.

Director of Planning and Development Michael Murphy said it was “unfortunate that the project didn’t move forward,” as staff believed the improvements being proposed would have protected the watershed.

From a town policy standpoint, he said, the developer had met, and even went beyond, the requirements to build on the site.

”It’s a matter of how development is done there, not that it shouldn’t be done,” Murphy said. “An opportunity was lost in an area designated for commercial development. Hopefully there will be more opportunities in the future.”