Move quickly, but not hastily
The Gloversville Planning Board is delaying approval of Wal-Mart's plans for a supercenter off South Kingsboro Avenue so members can review the latest draft of the environmental impact statement more closely.
The board plans to wait a month before deciding on the document, but some city officials and residents want quicker action.
Wal-Mart representatives say the revised environmental statement addresses concerns - such as road layouts and traffic issues - raised by board members and residents.
Local people's call for a speedy review is understandable. Wal-Mart has been talking about this project for several years. It's proceeded at a snail's pace. We don't see where the city has done anything to hold it up, however. So far, city planners have done an adequate job of reviewing plans and working with Wal-Mart.
The mayor and council members are eager to see the new Wal-Mart open because they're counting on an influx of sales tax money. Wal-Mart in October said it wanted to open the store in early 2010. When that happens, the existing Wal-Mart on Fifth Avenue Extension in the town of Johnstown will close. The new store will retain the workers from the old store and add around 175, Wal-Mart officials said.
We want to see the city give speedy approval to the environmental statement, but we also agree with Planning Board Chairman Renato Sanges, who said the city should be thorough in its review. This is, after all, a major project that would have a significant effect on traffic on Routes 30A, 29 and other roads in the vicinity of the store.
Another month won't be detrimental to the project. If the Planning Board isn't ready by early January, then people should be concerned. The environmental statement still will need the approval of the town of Johnstown, Fulton County, the state Department of Transportation, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Army Corps of Engineers. It will be important for all of those agencies and interests to move quickly, but also to study the details carefully.
|
Discobulous
|
|
|---|---|
|
12-07-08 8:18 AM
|
So that's where China is. Thanks.
|
|
Guinta
|
|
|
12-06-08 3:25 PM
|
Is Walmart a local store??? After being advised by the Leader Herald in another editorial to shop at local stores for the holidays, I wonder now if you were actually talking about Walmart. Shopping at Walmart only enriches our neighboring China across the Pacific Ocean.
|
|
Discobulous
|
|
|
12-05-08 11:42 AM
|
Agree totally...just viewed my first (and I hope last) WSS here in Fla. It's ok but oderless and tasteless. Yes, I'm acquainted with requirements being a Councilperson - P.C. liason in my Fulco town. Your points are totally correct on all counts. I hope 'Mr. Mayor' reads your commentary, assuming he can.
|
|
TheArchitect
|
|
|
12-04-08 10:08 PM
|
"Discobulous", I appreicate your point, but I meant to say that the only people with less ability and credibility 'than the Mayor and the Council members'. The only way anything will be done right is if the planning board hires a consultant to conduct an unbiased review. The Wal-Mart consultants do not have the city's best interest in mind, they only want to continue to be be paid by Wal-Mart for their work and getting an approved EIS is where their work ends so they can move on to the next site for Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is in the process of getting approvals on over 100 Supercenter's with the goal of getting 80% of them through the EIS process. Then their goal for the next 2.5 years is to actually construction only 15 new Supercenters nationwide. There is no guarantee Mr. Mayor that Wal-Mart will even break ground in Gloversville assuming the EIS can be approved by all entities no matter what BS they have filled your ears with or no matter how much you need it to save you
|
|
Discobulous
|
|
|
12-04-08 7:54 PM
|
Like that gang is gonna know how to do it right?
|
|
TheArchitect
|
|
|
12-04-08 6:35 PM
|
The only people with less ability and credibility to weigh in on the timing of the review of the lastest EIS developed by Wal-Marts consultants is the Leader Herald Editorial Board. This is a highly technical matter that needs to be evaluated using as much time and effort as needed. This is no time to rubber stamp the EIS as the LH suggests. The review will likely take 3 to 4 months and even more if any of the public comments have not been adequately resolved. The "people" should not be concerned if the planning board has not completed its review in January. The people should be concerned if they simply approve the EIS without adequate review and questioning. This is a highly iterative process so it will take more than one month LH.
|