Wal-Mart opponents, supporters square off
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

PHOTO BY ROB PRICE Members of the Bath planning board and representatives of Fagan Engineers listen to comments from a crowd of more than 100 at Thursday's scoping session for an environmental impact study of a proposed Wal-Mart super store on state Route 54.

BATH - More than 100 area residents jammed a meeting of the Bath town planning board Thursday, as board members solicited responses to a draft scoping outline of an upcoming environmental impact study related to a proposed Wal-Mart super store on state Route 54.

The purpose of the meeting was to solicit additional comments that might expand the preliminary scoping outline beyond the scope prepared for the planning board by Fagan Engineers.

At times, however, the meeting threatened to turn into a free-wheeling debate between supporters of a local Wal-Mart store and those who oppose the construction of the 150,000- square foot "big box" store.

"Let's vote," challenged Melinda Van Sykes of Bath. "I can guarantee Wal-Mart will be here."

A public referendum is not in the cards, according to James Emo, chairman of the planning board, who noted referendums are not a legal mechanism for handing "land use" issues.

PHOTO BY CASSANDRA TUCKER A defaced anti-Wal-Mart sign erected last week along state Route 54 suggests the level of hostility between opponents and supporters of a proposed Wal-Mart super store in the Town of Bath.

Instead, the planning board will continue as lead agent for the environmental review process, which has identified numerous areas of environmental concern connected with a Wal-Mart super store. According to Fagan consultant Anne Clark, those areas include:

• The impact on a water aquifer beneath the proposed development site.

• Traffic and related air quality issues

• The fiscal impact of a Wal-Mart on municipal and school district finances

• Storm water run-off

• The impact on the physical characteristics of the surrounding area.

Critics of the Wal-Mart project offered a few additions. Attorney Rachel Treichler, of Urbana, advised scrutinizing potential health care costs that Steuben County may incur as the result of the creation of hundreds of part-time jobs. Treichler also warned of future litigation costs in the event Wal-Mart sues for a reduction in its initial property assessment.

Other Wal-Mart skeptics advised the consideration of

light pollution" and recent New York state court rulings that reportedly support inclusion of a general economic impact study in assessing the environmental impact of a new Wal-Mart.

The Wal-Mart project, however, had many defenders in the audience. John Conrad of Bath suggested a local Wal-Mart would reduce the amount of driving now necessary for central Steuben County residents to visit Wal-Mart stores in Hornell and Gang Mills.

"I'm going to shop at Wal- Mart," vowed another supporter, who was greeted with loud applause.

Tempers came close to flaring on several occasions, and Emo ended the meeting with a sharp retort to Wal- Mart critic Beth Miller of Wheeler. Asked by Miller where he resided, Emo indicated he lives in Howard.

"Why are you on the board and not a resident of Bath?" asked Miller.

"Because they appointed me to this seat and not you," Emo shot back.

The planning board will now confer with Fagan Engineers on a final scoping outline that Wal-Mart will use to address local environmental concerns. According to Clark, the corporation will develop a draft environmental impact study that eventually will be reviewed in future public hearings.

The planning board is expected to meet Sept 4 to adopt a final draft of the scope, Clark said.