Wal-Mart Supercenter's scope proposal not accepted

Saying they needed further information on traffic and drainage issues, officials on Sweden's zoning board didn't accept Wal-Mart's Draft Environmental Impact Survey.

If Wal-Mart officials can adequately address the issues before the board's December 22 regular meeting, zoning board members would again have the opportunity to either accept, or reject the draft study. The DEIS is one of the first steps in the process for the construction of a supercenter to go forward.

For more than a year, officials at Wal-Mart have been in the fact-finding process for the construction of a 203,000 square foot shopping center on Route 31 in the Town of Sweden. The proposed store would feature 36 general merchandise departments in addition to a grocery store, one-hour photo processing lab, a pharmacy and a tire and lube area. Building the supercenter will involve extensive road improvements and upgrades.

Traffic and environmental concerns have been voiced by opponents of the proposed store. The potential for another empty store front in the space Wal-Mart presently occupies on Route 19 is another concern for residents of the town.