Review Process for Super Walmart Continues

COURT HOUSE – Round two of discussions for the proposed expansion of the Walmart on Route 9 in Rio Grande took place March 11 in front of the Middle Township Planning Board at Municipal Hall.
Attorney Stephen Nehmad called two expert witnesses to present their testimonies to the board. Even with these testimonies, Nehmad stated that he did not believe the matter could be resolved at this meeting because both he and opposing attorney Ronald Gasiorowski, who represents ShopRite, had witnesses who could not be present and would give their testimonies at the next meeting.
The witnesses who presented testimonies were traffic engineer Mark Roth and planner Creigh Rahenkamp, both of whom are representing the side in favor of the expansion. Roth spoke of a traffic impact study and parking demand evaluation that were performed for the proposed expansion, while Rahenkamp focused more on the economic and environmental benefits that would be seen if the expansion were to occur. The issue of parking and traffic seemed to be the primary focus of the meeting overall.
The parking ordinance in relation to the proposed expansion requires that the parking lot contain 1,004 total parking spaces. The proposal is calling for a total of 864 parking spaces, just 28 more than the existing 836. Roth’s parking demand study showed that the proposed number of spaces would provide more than enough parking to account for the expansion.
Roth conducted his parking study on Labor Day weekend 2011, in which he counted occupied parking spaces in the Walmart shopping center on Friday afternoon and Saturday mid-day, which have been known to be peak periods at retail centers.
Occupied spaces were counted every 30 minutes for a period of four hours on both days. Even at the peak on each of the two days, Roth said that less than half of the parking lot was full. He said that there is excess availability for parking now, and there will continue to be excess availability following expansion.
He followed this up with a second parking study conducted around Christmas 2013, which produced similar results.
Rahenkamp was next to present his testimony, in which he spoke about the benefits of the expansion for the economy, as well as the environment. He discussed many of the positive aspects of the expansion, including good civic design, efficient use of land, and improvement of general welfare.
Rahenkamp said that the civic design would improve the look and circulation of the center, allow for a refurbished and improved storm water management system, and give customers a choice of multiple entrances to make the store more accessible. He said that the land would be used efficiently because it would allow for the expansion of goods and services within an existing retail center.
While many in attendance spoke in favor of the proposed expansion, Sean Ford, owner of Avalon Coffee in Rio Grande spoke in opposition to it. Ford said that Walmart should have to meet all zoning requirements as he did when he opened his shop in 2000. He also expressed his concern of how a large format retailer in the area would affect him as a small business owner.
Local resident Steve Bradway, who shares his property line with Walmart, asked that the maintenance team be required to abide by the township noise ordinance if the project is approved, as this has been an issue in the past. Bradway also requested that Walmart maintain the fence that is on their side of the property.
The next meeting is set for April 8, where the board will hear from witnesses representing both sides of the case. The Herald will be live streaming the meeting on www.CapeMayCountyHerald.com.
To contact Aimee Rutt, email arutt@cmcherald.com.
For the Herald’s previous coverage, go to:
– Larger Wal-Mart Proposed, Plan Meets Opposition: http://goo.gl/02wCi8