Greece, NY. Wal-Mart Dispute Causes Rift

Proposed Wal-Mart sparks back-and-forth debate [Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY)]

Al Fisher remembers the controversy when a Tops Friendly Markets store was proposed for Mt. Read Boulevard in the mid-1980s. There were Planning Board meetings that lasted hours and contentious resident debate before the board approved the chain.

“That was probably one of the most passionate I’ve seen two sides when it came to development in the town,” said Fisher, of Greece, Planning Board chairman.

But there is a new number one on his list. The Planning Board on Wednesday approved Wal-Mart’s application to build a 146,000-square-foot superstore in Northgate Plaza. The approval came after public hearings that Fisher describes as some of the most zealous and fervent discussions by residents ever on a project.

Many residents complained that the store would bring traffic, crime and noise problems. Others said Wal-Mart would strengthen the beleaguered plaza.

Donn Rice, president of the Residents against Wal-Mart, said Friday that the group plans to file a suit against the town within 30 days to stop the project from moving forward.

Why did this project, which also calls for a 4,000-square-foot McDonald’s restaurant, cause so much emotion and attract nearly 300 residents to Planning Board meetings?

“I think it had everything to do with the residents in that community. The physical number of people that are close to Northgate is probably greater than any other plaza,” said Fisher. “Not many neighborhoods would have the kind of passion where people wanted to stay up until 2:30 a.m. for a meeting.”

Fred Amato, who supported Wal-Mart, went to several of those late-night Planning Board meetings. While he said he was surprised about the fiery comments about one business, he understands that it’s not just any business.

“Wal-Mart had a bad reputation with how they treated their employees and the unions never liked them,” said Amato, 65, of Morrow Drive, a member of the Northgate Neighbors of Greece.

Amato, a 39-year-resident of Greece, said supporters voiced their opinions for Wal-Mart because of the decay of a once-bustling plaza and the inconvenience it caused their lives.

“There are a lot of elderly people in the neighborhood that have to go miles to Ridge Road to get groceries or shop for birthday presents,” he said. “Wal-Mart is badly needed in this community.”

Rice, of Oakbriar Drive, said people fought hard against Wal-Mart because they saw the possibility of their peaceful and relaxing residential area being turned into a noisy, traffic mess.

“People in this end of town love the characteristics and quality of life in the area so any time a big-box chain wants to move in, you are going to get that kind of passion,” he said.

Gary Tajkowski, director of development services in Greece, said the next step is Wal-Mart following through on the Planning Board revisions and submitting a final review design.

Approval also will be necessary from the fire marshal, town commissioner of public works and chief engineer. No construction date has been announced.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Monday, September 17, 2007