Wal-Mart public hearing set for February 9

It's been in the works for more than a year and residents will have the opportunity on Monday, February 9 to voice additional opinions on Wal-Mart's proposal to build a supercenter in the Town of Sweden.

Wal-Mart officials 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 this year-long process is the public hearing, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the Brockport High School auditorium. Copies of the environmental impact study completed by Wal-Mart in their quest for approval of their building proposal are available for viewing at the Seymour Library and at the Town Hall.

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 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.

Members of the community are urged to look at the studies and come to the public hearing prepared to voice their questions and concerns.