Official review of Bath Walmart begins
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

BATH - The preliminary steps in the construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in the town of Bath were taken Tuesday even as concerns about the project were raised.

Representatives of Wal- Mart met with Bath's town planning board to discuss preliminary sketches and a site review for the proposed 148,000 square-foot store on State Route 54.

The meeting was also attended by town board officials and more than a dozen concerned residents, who listened quietly to the presentation and questions by planning board members.

Project Manager Dennis Kennelly of FRA, a consulting firm in Rochester, told the board the supercenter would be located on 9.3 acres between a lumber store and the Finger Lakes SPCA.

Any costs associated with the project, including an engineering consultant selected by the planning board, will be paid by Wal-Mart, according to Kennelly.

The supercenter will also be "architecturally sensitive" to the area, and include landscaping as a buffer for nearby businesses and a residential area, Wal-Mart representatives said.

The project is subject to state Department of Transportation regulations and local codes, Kennelly said.

Planning board questions centered on setbacks, lighting and traffic on the state highway.

"As the process goes on, I'm sure we'll have lots and lots of questions," said Planning Board Chairman Jim Emo.

Opponents of the project stopped the Wal-Mart representatives in the hallway after the presentation to ask questions.

Their concerns centered on the effect the store would have on shops in the village of Bath's business district, jobs and local employment.

"I don't know that I want to discourage business from the area," said local union leader Gary Ostrander. "I just want to make sure we encourage the right businesses."

Wal-Mart representatives said all plans for the supercenter will be made available in town offices and the library for public review. The process will also include an environmental study and public hearings to gather public input.

Emo said the plan will now be referred to the Bath Town Board, which meets at 7 p.m. May 14. The town board is expected to give the planning board oversight of the project, including launching the required environmental studies.

There is no immediate timeline for the project, Emo said.

"We're going to get as much knowledge as we can and be receptive to all questions," Emo said. "I'm neutral on this. It's not for me to indicate a yea or a nay."