Wal-Mart plans continue forward

For more than one year, officials at Wal-Mart have been compiling paperwork and a draft environmental impact study (DEIS). Recently, the Sweden Planning Board approved the draft environmental impact study.

The next step in the long process is a public hearing, which has been scheduled for February 9 at 7 p.m. in the Brockport High School auditorium. Copies of the environmental impact study are available for viewing at the Seymour Library and at the Town Hall. This will be the first opportunity that the public has had to review all of the information that had been submitted by Wal-Mart to the planning board.

As part of the process toward gaining approval to build a 203,500 square foot, 24-hour a day, seven day a week superstore, Wal-Mart was required to complete the environmental impact study. The completion of the study is only one of the steps they will need to complete in the overall approval process.

The Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed to the Sweden Planning Board would be similar to Supercenters in Gates and on Hudson Avenue in Rochester.

The proposed Supercenter would be approximately one mile east of the intersections of Route 31 and 19 in Brockport. It would involve extensive road improvements and upgrades and would encompass a 21.3 acre lot. The store would feature 36 general merchandise departments, a grocery department, one-hour photo processing lab, pharmacy and a tire and lube area. The tire and lube area would host an eight bay garage area that would be used mainly for installation of items purchased in the store or for oil changes.

Citizens groups, both for and against the construction, have been formed. The STAND (Sweden Taxpayers Against Needless Development) group cites heavy traffic, increased crime and environmental concerns as their reason for opposing the project. The Brockport Residents Encouraging Commerce was formed to support the proposed construction of the supercenter.

Members of both groups urge individuals to look at the studies and come to the public hearing prepared to voice their questions and concerns.