WAL-MART PLAN ON HOLD IN TUNKHANNOCK, WY

Wyoming planners table plans for Wal-Mart, pending review [Times Tribune (Pa.)]

The Wyoming County Planning Commission agreed Wednesday to table plans for a 154,702-square-foot Wal-Mart SuperCenter in Eaton Township until a review of the project is completed.

“I have gone over a lot of it,” county planner Paul Weilage said. “At this point, my review is not complete.”

Wal-Mart is proposing the supercenter be built south of Tunkhannock on Route 29. The store would be located near Skyhaven Airport and opposite a current Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has a purchase agreement to buy the land from Select Sires of Plain City, Ohio.

Mr. Weilage said a 90-day review of the plans began Wednesday and the planning office still must complete a review on landscape, handicapped parking and other subjects. A storm-water review by county engineers CECO Associates must still be received, he added.

The supercenter would be located on a 59-acre parcel, according to attorney Mark Van Loon, of Wilkes-Barre. He noted that a 1-acre parcel and a 2-acre parcel would also be a part of the development to allow for restaurant and retail.

Mr. Van Loon said the application is being reviewed by the state Department of Transportation.

Wal-Mart representatives were peppered with questions and concerns from residents at the meeting.

Bob Anderson, owner of New Shoe Store Plus on Route 29, said traffic already backs up in front of his store, which is located just north of the proposed supercenter.

He said the supercenter would only worsen traffic congestion and that he is concerned about how his business will be affected.

“That’s our livelihood,” Mr. Anderson said. “That’s all I have.”

Also Wednesday, the Planning Commission gave preliminary approval to plans for a 10,380-square-foot building in Nicholson that would contain a Family Dollar Store and a Subway Restaurant.

The building would be located on State Street and is being proposed by LGN Management, of Williamsport.

The preliminary approval was given with conditions, including that the borough changes the area’s zoning from residential to commercial, that a holding tank for sewage be created while the borough’s proposed sewage project is being completed and that storm-water concerns be addressed.

Posted by Joel Nezianya on Thursday, June 19, 2008

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