Is It Too Late to Stop the Bel Air WalMart??
Photos
Last night I was one of over 800 neighbors and friends who attended the community meeting at Patterson Mill High School on the proposed new WalMart Superstore at 924 and Plumtree. Our neighborhoods are primarily residential with Festival Bel Air being the only large commercial area nearby.
The turnout, in spite of rain and storms in the area, filled the auditorium to standing room only capacity. Emotions ran high and anger and verbal outbursts were common throughout the meeting. Resident after resident stood to speak on their opposition as well as reports of 800-900 index cards with questions/comments were collected.
This meeting was held by WalMart as required by our local law. The panel included store officials, the architect and a representative from the company that did the traffic study (which was conducted during the day while school was in session). At times the panel looked very weary as shouts and opposition over, over and over was hurled at them. While they were respectful and answered questions, many answers were carefully crafted to not answer the question directly. Many of our elected officials were in attendance as well, and the crowd sent a very large message that if the store is allowed to go through they will face the wrath of voters. There was also a call to boycott WalMart and shop elsewhere. Still other neighbors vow to unite various groups to form a bigger group to protest all stages of the proposed WalMart site.
Traffic, safety issues, property value concerns, pollution of light, sound and an additional 10,000 cars per day were among the various concerns that were expressed. In short, if WalMart moves in to this site it will be disruptive to not only the neighborhoods and property owners, but local businesses as well, and have long reaching effects that will have devastating effects to the area. The site would be bumpered by Rt 24 and 924 but there will be no access from Rt 24, which will force all traffic to/from the store into local access roads through neighborhoods. According to the panel, the State Highway Administration will not allow an entrance on Rt 24.
People ask how this could possibly happen and why. It seems that Jeff Dinger of the Bel Air Community Foundation sounded the alarm in April of 2011 when public hearings were held on the zoning change to the property. It appears that rumors of a possible WalMart were already spreading at that time but since it was not highly publicized the hearing had a very poor turnout and the zoning change was allowed with the idea of allowing a mixed use commercial area, doctors offices, small stores, etc.
Then in May of 2012 we started hearing the rumblings that WalMart was conducting traffic studies but could not get public comment by WalMart. Now we know for sure that WalMart plans to move from the current Abingdon site and wants to move into a primarily residential area and build a possible 24 hour store and change the quality of life in the area. What is the motivation?
It's possible it's a covenant that exists on their current property at Constant Friendship that will not allow a grocery store which is the reason WalMart wants to build elsewhere. That covenant expires in 2018. Pete Gutwald, Harford County director of planning and zoning, was cited in a May 2012 article that the existing site could handle an expansion but WalMart had not expressed any interest in doing so at that site. WalMart officials claimed at last night's meeting that they wouldn't be able to expand on the current site, and would not address Pete Gutwald's comments.
WalMart claims there is a demand for a store at this location and also claims they have studies that are all positive surrounding when WalMart moves into an area, but nobody in attendance could ever remember seeing a WalMart directly adjacent to a thriving neighborhood as they are mostly in highly commercial areas or major intersections and the facts about WalMart do not support their claims.
In an article in the Hawaii News Daily, the following facts were presented:
The following are 20 facts about Wal-Mart that will absolutely shock you....
#1 The average U.S. family now spends more than $4000 a year at Wal-Mart.
#2 In 2010, Wal-Mart had revenues of 421 billion dollars. That amount was greater than the GDP of 170 different countries including Norway, Venezuela and the United Arab Emirates.
#3 If Wal-Mart was a nation, it would have the 23rd largest GDP in the world.
#4 Wal-Mart now sells more groceries than anyone else in America does. In the United States today, one out of every four grocery dollars is spent at Wal-Mart.
#5 Amazingly, 100 million customers shop at Wal-Mart every single week.
#6 Wal-Mart has opened more than 1,100 "supercenters" since 2005 alone.
#7 Today, Wal-Mart has more than 2 million employees.
#8 If Wal-Mart was an army, it would be the second largest military on the planet behind China.
#9 Wal-Mart is the largest employer in 25 different U.S. states.
#10 According to the Economic Policy Institute, trade between Wal-Mart and China resulted in the loss of 133,000 manufacturing jobs in the United States between 2001 and 2006.
#11 The CEO of Wal-Mart makes more in a single hour than a full-time Wal-Mart associate makes in an entire year.
#12 Tens of thousands of Wal-Mart employees and their children are enrolled in Medicaid and are dependent on the government for healthcare.
#13 Between 2001 and 2007, the value of products that Wal-Mart imported from China grew from $9 billion to $27 billion.
#14 Sadly, about 85 percent of all the products sold at Wal-Mart are made outside of the United States.
#15 It is being reported that about 80 percent of all Wal-Mart suppliers are in China at this point.
#16 Amazingly, 96 percent of all Americans now live within 20 miles of a Wal-Mart.
#17 The number of "independent retailers" in the United States declined by 60,000 between 1992 and 2007.
#18 According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Wal-Mart spent 7.8 million dollars on political lobbying during 2011. That number does not even include campaign contributions.
#19 Today, Wal-Mart has five times the sales of the second largest U.S. retailer (Costco).
#20 The combined net worth of six members of the Walton family is roughly equal to the combined net worth of the poorest 30 percent of all Americans.
All over the country, independent retailers are going out of business because they cannot compete with Wal-Mart and their super cheap Chinese products. Often communities will give Wal-Mart huge tax breaks just to move in to their areas. But what many communities don't take into account is that the introduction of a Wal-Mart is often absolutely devastating to small businesses....
A study of small and rural towns in Iowa showed lost sales for local businesses ranging from -17.2% in small towns to -61.4% in rural areas, amounting to a total dollar loss of $2.46 BILLION over a 13-year period.
When we buy stuff made by people working for slave labor wages in China, wedestroy good paying American jobs and we make America poorer. This is a point that I have tried to make over and over.
Wal-Mart often tells one thing to the public and then does another thing in private. Sadly, the truth is that Wal-Mart does not care about U.S. manufacturing jobs. Wal-Mart just wants to get products as cheaply as they possibly can, and most of the time that means getting them from China.
Just check out this first-hand testimony from an 81-year-old retired apparel manufacturer....
I was president of the Southwestern Apparel Manufacturers Association. There was a meeting sometime between 1985 and 1990. Walmart had contacted our organization and asked if they could meet with us at our beautiful Apparel Mart we had here in Dallas, which has now been razed, because all the independent merchants don’t exist that used to come to it. Two people from Walmart came down and they said they were going to be sourcing goods from overseas and we would have to meet those prices for consumer products and to get ready for it—we are going to be sourcing the world. Walmart was the only company that came out and said this.
It was sort of shocking: I was selling them some merchandise at the time. On the back of their trucks it was saying “Bring it Back to America!” They had the big “keep it in America” program going at that time on the big signs in the stores. Meanwhile when I reminded the buyer of that, she told me, “that is just for domestic consumption, we’re going to buy at the cheapest we can anywhere on earth.”
As I have written about previously, the United States has lost more than 56,000 manufacturing facilities since 2001.
We are losing millions of good jobs that cannot be replaced. If you can believe it, the United States has actually lost an average of about 50,000 manufacturing jobs a month since China joined the World Trade Organization in 2001.
Richard S*****r
11:18 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Wal Mart is a company that has capitalized on the WANTS of Americans. Cheaper prices on the products they want...not need. It is just like politics you get what you vote for. Simplly put, as long as America continues demanding lower prices Wal Mart will continue to deliver. Right in your back yard as you claim.
Chris Chris
11:33 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Exactly, Wal-Mart delivers what we want; low prices. The reason some local stores go out of business is because the community doesn't go there anymore, they go to Walmart. It is not Walmart's fault. Obviously they are delivering on what the people want. If you don't like Walmart, don't go there. "Slave labor wages"? When compared to wages in the USA but compared to their neighbors wages they are making 2-5X their salary. Please, compare relevant facts. "The combined net worth of six members of the Walton family is roughly equal to the combined net worth of the poorest 30 percent of all Americans"? Who cares? This is America where we excel in generating wealth for ourselves and our family. The Waltons worked hard and created a business model that America has enthusiastically supported! I'm all against Walmart opening on 924...because I live in Constant Friendship and it's currently only a mile away! Please don't go!
Debbie Nelson
11:48 am on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I'm so frustrated with all the retail building in Bel Air. WalMart needs to do their traffic study in the morning when people are commuting to work and in the evening when people are commuting home from work. Let those people sit in traffic for 20 minutes trying to get through the area with just the businesses that are there and the commutors!!! Traffic is already horrible in this area and to have access only through 924 makes it an absolute nightmare!!!!!! I already use back roads because of the rt 24 traffic and the 924/24/95 insane intersection!!! I'm going to start running out of back roads to get where I need to go!!! I hardly go to the mall because of the trafffic there. Now I won't even be able to go to church because of the traffic WalMart will create!!! This is insane!!! Then what will happen to the large building which took down so many trees in Constant Friendship!!! It will be left open while another big business decides to tear down some more trees and build a new building because the old WalMart building isn't sufficient! I'm ready to pack my bags and move out of this county!!!!!!!!!!
WAYNE
2:42 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
DEB YOUR 100% RIGHT.....THANK GOD FOR CECIL COUNTY.......PORT DEPOSIT,MD AREA. I LIVED IN HARFORD COUNTY FOR 40+ YRS NOW IT'S LIKE A CITY NOW, NOT A COUNTY !!!
Tim Montoya
12:02 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Walmart is just capitalizing on what is available. If the Federal Government would impose higher import taxes, then the Us could be more competitive with communist Chine and 3rd world child labor. Walmart is not the enemy here. They create large amounts of jobs and deliver good that are affordable.
John Citzen
12:02 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
They held their meeting as required by local law and that is that. This is not their first time folks they have this squah it all and do what we want act down to the last detail. Their parking lot will be filled with the same cars you see in the lot at the meeting. America is dependent on their low prices (I don't see wages going up) It will be annoying people will get stuck in traffic and congestion will get worse. Here is where the money talks folks. Don't shop there fine but others will protest do your best and at least you tried.
Jack Weber
12:37 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
It is going to be a beautiful store, far preferable to the weed-infested shrubland currently there. The traffic will be minimal. It will produce skilled jobs for Harford.
HarfordLassie
11:07 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
What "skilled jobs" are you talking about? Please clarify. This store is moving from Constant Friendship.
HarfordLassie
12:23 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Jack? You want to clarify those skilled jobs and the number please?
Frank
12:53 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
10,000 additional cars? From where? There is already two Walmart Super stores around the area and I don't see any sizeable increase in traffic around them. Enough of the fantasizing impacts. The fact is this is a major benefit to the community
Belairmom
9:26 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
That number came from Wal-mart. One of the questions a resident asked the Wal-mart reps at the dog and pony show was along the lines of would there be 10,000 cars a day and the rep indicated that was a possibility.
HarfordLassie
10:28 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Their study was taken when school was in session to arrive at that additional 10,000 cars per day figure.
HarfordLassie
10:32 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Their plan is to expand to a superstore and move from the Constant Friendship location. They claim there is not enough room to expand on the current site which has been disputed by Zoning and Planning. The main issue seems to hinge on a covenant on the existing property that expires in a few years that won't allow a full grocery a superstore would have.
Rickey Bobbie
10:32 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
there is a possibility of that many cars if it was on black Friday and there was no other Walmarts in the area. Lets not lose sight of the fact that we all want a Walmart super center, this is normal complaining. I like walmart just not in my back yard, build it somewhere else ????? Really, we all want it so it is going somewhere, you were just the unlucky ones that bought a house there. Deal with it.
HarfordLassie
12:22 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Ricky, who is this "we" you speak of? Who do you represent other than yourself? It seems many who are commenting on this great move have no idea what the neighborhood even currently has at the site in question. It's easy to say something if you aren't impacted.
As for the 10,000 cars per day additional, that's the traffic study that was presented at the meeting with WalMart and it was done while school was in session, not during rush hour, not Black Friday
Belairmom
5:49 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Rickey Bobbie, do you think that Wal-mart would open a super center if they were only pull in a few hundred customers a day? They will need to pull in a huge volume of customers to justify building a brand new facility.
Rickey Bobbie
2:39 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
belairmom, you are joking right ... It's a tax write off to build another building with in so many miles if it is over 20 years old.
Belairmom
8:26 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012
Rickey, can you provide some more info on this tax break? That specific issue was not brought up at the meeting. Walmart was asked additional state/county incentives and their answer was they weren't getting any, but it sounds like your point does not fall into those type of tax breaks.
Vogue21040
2:55 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
I, for one, cant wait for it to open in Bel Air.....I dont get the notion that Bel Air is some vast farmland.... even if so, those with Farms dont live on or near 924 and will not be affected.....its a city... bustling & busy and stores like Wally World complement it.
HarfordLassie
12:24 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Is the current location too far to go if they expanded the current store? We are talking about 2 minutes down the road??
Deb
3:02 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Not only will it be a Wal-Mart but the space could bring great shops and/or restaurants that are not currently in our county. Many residents are leaving the county for stores and services they can't find here. A bigger store helps fuel a nice development. Traffic has been a problem in the entire county for the last 10 years. Growth is always on the rise here because many families want to live in this bustling, vibrant county.
Karl Schuub
3:08 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
So far Deb you have a Walmart Super Store and storage units. What kinda nice development you think either of those provides?
HarfordLassie
10:29 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
The great shops and restaurants are at Boulevard at Box Hill, where Wegman's is.
CB9678
3:06 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Question????
Where was everyone when they rezoned that property from residential to buisness a few years ago?
HarfordLassie
10:30 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Near as I can tell this property has been zoned a number of times over the past 10 years and possibly the last time it was taken to appeals court by the owner (who evidently already had an offer from Wal Mart) where the court gave the ok, not the residents.
CB9678
2:52 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
No it was zoned residential and at a nearly empty hearing was changed.
HarfordLassie
12:25 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
There are conflicting reports. According to council members that attended a recent community meeting it was an appeals case that got it zoned and the owner already had an offer from WalMart.
CB9678
10:21 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
According to County Zoning records it was changed 4 years ago!!
HarfordLassie
10:39 pm on Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Some of the main reasons for opposition are increased traffic on an already congested 2 lane road, safety of children walking to schools and pedestrians crossing busy roads, nearness to schools and the new fire company, transients in a residential neighborhood since WalMart allows overnight camping (also plays into safety), lighting facing residential neighborhoods instead of Rt 24 (because SHA will not allow access from Rt. 24 most likely). a proposed access for tractor trailers from 24 to Plumtree to the WalMart store that is not anywhere near large enough for a truck to manuever a U-turn (and cause trucks into the residential areas, noise and pollution from more than 10,000 additional cars per day. A net loss of jobs is predicted as WalMart will drive other stores out of business, decreased property values, increased insurance rates on home and auto. The list goes on. It's just not the right location for a big box store in a residential neighborhood.
CB9678
2:54 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
What children walk to school near there. If you dislike the buisness fine but stop making stuff up!
Debbie Nelson
10:10 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
CB9678, I know for a fact that children do walk to school from the nearby communities. If you live and or are near this area, you would know that. You would also know that people from the nearby communities walk in this area. They go to the Festival, the businesses on Bel Air South Pkwy and Laurel Bush. You would also know what a VERY difficult time people have getting out of the Bright Oaks community by car onto 924 at various times of the day. None of this stuff is being made up!
Rickey Bobbie
10:49 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
well Joan you need to check your self before you run off at the mouth.
1st. A new report from the National Bureau of Economic Research declares the opposite of what many people believe to be true: Having a new Wal-Mart nearby actually raises home property values. "Some residents who oppose a new store have expressed concerns about increased traffic, noise and sound pollution, property devaluation, and threats to small-business owners," The Boston Globe wrote about a recent protest against a planned Wal-Mart store in Watertown, Mass.In this study we use over one million housing transactions located near 159 Walmarts that opened between 2000 and 2006 to test if the opening of a Walmart does indeed lower housing prices. Using a difference-in-differences specification, our estimates suggest that a new Walmart store actually increases housing prices by between 2 and 3 percent for houses located within 0.5 miles of the store and by 1 to 2 percent for houses located between 0.5 and 1 mile.This report was on MSN.com here is the link. http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post.aspx?post=cdede889-1181-47e3-89d6-70bdff89dc15
Why would a tractor and trailer be doing a "U turn" in the middle of plumtree Rd. I don't believe you have ever driven one before if you have you would know there are the drivers are the best in there profession not some driving school dropout. In closing check your facts before you go spouting off at the mouth, Thanks
HarfordLassie
12:18 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Ricky,
The Traffic Study that was done locally for this site favors WalMart by not doing it when the roads are the busiest and does not take into account all of the roads this store will affect. These days there are enough facts out there about WalMart that studies can be slanted unless they are independent- just like our news organizations. This is really bigger than WalMart. This is not the location for ANY big box store. Businesses, doctors offices, small/medium stores- yes. Big box- NO.
I'm sorry if I gave the impression tractor trailer drivers would be U turning on Plumtree Rd. The U-turn would be required for the drivers entering the parking lot from Plumtree (which is supposed to be the access point off 24) and literally making a U turn to get to the access road in the parking lot where they are supposed to go to the back of the store for deliveries. Take a look at the plans. It's not a matter of skill of the drivers, there just isn't enough physical space for them to make the turn.
HarfordLassie
12:26 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
CB, as Debbie says, if you knew anything at all about the area you would know what children walk to school. It is practically in the new Patterson Mill's backyard.
CB9678
10:24 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Debbie from what subdivision to what school do children walk past this location???? I live in the area and I know that this Wal-mart is not affecting walking children. I think it is redundent but this is what people get for sitting on their tail and not paying attention to what is going on and what was advertised under your nose!
CB9678
10:26 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Harford Lesslie what children walk past there that do not have a bus availible to them?
Belairmom
5:44 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Rickey Bobbie, who paid for the NBER study?
Rickey Bobbie
2:52 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Harford Lassie, I had my wife look at the plans and we both agree there is plenty of room for delivery truck access. She is a senior highway engineer and has a PHD in civil engineering. Also has 19 years on the job of doing such projects. The only reason people are looking for any reason to block the walmart is the old saying " Not in my back yard " There again is no reason for a "U" turn into walmart as the site plans dictate 2 turn lanes from a widened Rt. 924. So when anyone can complain about any site of traffic plans show us your civil engineering degree first.
Jack Weber
1:05 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Let's face it, the WalMart is not going to have any measurable impact on the road network. And it is far more appealing to the eye than grass and weeds that need mowing; honestly, just drive north past Madonna and Pylesville and there is plenty of open space, all we need. And these will be professional, highly skilled workers which we really need in Harford. Supporting this is a no-brainer!!!!
HarfordLassie
1:29 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
"All the open space we need", "professional, highly skilled workers"? Jack, are you paid by WalMart to be here? Where do you live?
Belairmom
5:26 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
No measurable impact on traffic? Did you see their animation of roads in the area post Walmart (which conveniently showed 924 with like 5 cars on the road)? Do you know how busy and backed up the roads get in that area? Do you see people biking and walking that stretch of 924?
HarfordLassie
12:27 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Jack, still waiting for your facts on those professional, highly skilled workers.
Michael Faircloth
7:27 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
I'm very much opposed to this Walmart because of its proximity to residential areas and the traffic and noise it will create, but please stop moaning about all the Chinese goods and the small local businesses that will be hurt.
It's not our government's place to prop up any business, small or large. I'm opposed to tax breaks and subsidies on either end of the spectrum.
Small local businesses can remain competitive by providing the kind of personalized service and unique shopping experience which can't be found at big box retailers. Yes, they'll have to work hard and get creative, but that's capitalism and it's what's made America great for both businesses and consumers.
As for goods made in China, earlier comments in this forum about people making purchasing decisions based on cheap prices are right on the money. I run an online retail store, and my success rate with American made goods is dismal. For example, I recently bought a stock of high-quality traditional menswear manufactured in Reading, PA and emphasized that it was made in the USA in my marketing. I ended up having to mark down everything to nearly my cost because no one was buying. In contrast, similar products from American designers but made overseas were selling well, in some cases flying off the shelf. Americans have indeed voted with their pocketbooks, and at least for now, low prices are winning.
Debbie Nelson
10:04 am on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
To John Citizen: If weed infested is your description of this lot, maybe you need to live in the city where there are little to no trees, all buildings, paved streets and paved parking lots and little to no grass/weeds and no wildlife. This is why I don't live in the city because the trees, grass, wildlife and yes even the weeds are natual and beautiful to me. I'm a country girl at heart and greatly dislike the city and all it's traffic and crime. Do you all remember the huge grid lock at Constant Friendship 2 years ago at Christmas? If so, think about that on a more daily basis since 924 will be the only entrance/exit and will probably need another red light for people to get into and out of the parkinglot! Plumtree Rd will become worse that Bel Air South Parkway between 24 & 924! There are rarely only 5 cars coming up and down 924. It is almost always lots of cars except for a very few times of the day or night! The quality of life in this area is going downhill VERY quickly! I for one don't want to have to take 45 minutes to get to my church on Sunday morning or anywhere else heading up 924! This is SO ridiculous to even consider putting a WalMart or any other large stores and/or stores on this property. They will put up a sign and pave paridise!!!!
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9:25 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
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703
6:12 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I shop at Wal-Mart, but when I can ride my bicycle between two Wal-Mart locations without breaking a sweat, they are too close. Its like putting gambling at National Harbor right after the one in Arundle Mills opens... why? Is the demographics that strong? Like the light rail "build it and they will come".
Common Sense
8:08 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Our Councilman Cap't. Jim and our County Executive David Craig still want our votes in 2014 they need to pressure Walmart to stay where they are or move to a more appropriate location. The Bel Air location will have detrimental effects to the physical and financial health of our community. The 20 intersections required to be updated to meet the traffic study will be paid by Walmart but the tax payers will pay the future repairs of these roads, which will be required. The existing businesses in the area will be impacted and many I believe will be forced out of business. We have two automotive repair shops in this location one in the Festival, Mr. Tire, and one on Blue Spruce, National Tire and Battery. We have at least three pharmacies, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and the Shoprite. The Walmart Supercenter in Fallston has a Subway inside the store, we have a Subway in the Festival. We have a grocery store, the Shoprite. People will spend the same amout of money with or without a Walmart at this location if they spend it at Walmart they don't spend it at the existing stores that presently service the community and should not become the victims. Giving up the fight now and then telling your representatives "I told you so" after it's built will do no good. We need to continue the fight. Our worse case scenario will be to Boycott Walmart! If 800 people, from the community, showing up to a Community Input Meeting, in the pouring rain, have no input there is something wrong with system.
Common Sense
8:11 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
I think this Walmart will be great.............................FOR CHINA!
沃爾碼好
Common Sense
8:15 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
You will see urban blight as a result of this Walmart. Pedestrians can't cross the roads now adding a Walmart Supercenter which will bring traffic from all over the County, making it worse.
Common Sense
8:19 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Everyone needs to write the County Executive, Director of Planning and Zoning and Councilman and state the facts of why you oppose this development. Here are their addresses:
County Executive
David R. Craig
Harford County Government
220 South Main Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Director of Planning and Zoning
Pete C. Gutwald
220 South Main Street
2nd Floor
Bel Air, MD 21014
County Councilman District 'C'
James V. McMahan
212 South Bond Street
1st Floor
Bel Air, MD 21014
adminnikePrinz
9:08 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
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CB9678
2:33 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Guys this is the cost of your inaction. You all sat by while the property was rezoned at public hearings and did nothing. What did you think was going to happen when it got rezoned from residential to buisness? If it was not Wal-Mart it would be something else. We have two Targets about the same distance apart and they both thrive and do well. You simply don't want anything in your back yard. If you didn't want it you should have been on this 4 years ago. It is really to late to stop this now!!!
Andrew
5:04 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
I'm sure many of the same hypocrites hollering and making a scene at the public meeting will be voting against Obama in November, contending he's anti-business, anti-jobs, anti-free enterprise. You can't argue that politicians are "anti-business" and then protest a business from moving into a commercial area cause it's "in your backyard." Whether you enjoy shopping there or not, Wal-Mart is already a proven business in the county with 3 locations. If it builds a nicer, newer, more modern store, well landscaped and ensures that the traffic pattern works (and they would have a large stake in desiring that outcome, too), it is hard to argue against locating a big box store just west of a major shopping center (Festival). My main concern would be the possibility that they'd leave a "white elephant" behind at their current Abingdon location. But my assumption is their current location would draw someone else since it's so accessable and visible. That would mean more jobs total -- and who can argue against the need for that!
adminnikePrinz
9:30 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
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Leslie Schildgen
1:53 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The USA doesn't manufacture anything anymore because the unions are too expensive to support
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8:20 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
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glenn
10:04 am on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Oh Harford...where have you gone?
HarfordLassie
1:26 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
There are a number of other issues about WalMart that have been uncovered. The proposed site sits directly over the Plumtree Run Watershed which is in the process of a multi million dollar restoration project. WalMart leaves all of their chemicals outside and when it rains the runoff will go directly into the watershed.
In addition, there are four proposed projects in that same 1 mile radius that will have major impacts.
Karl Schuub
1:39 pm on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Truth is that might just be the best angle. If it truly is in a watershed and that runoff feeds into Winters Run at all or if any water feeds directly into the bay - even a smidgen it requires additional protections per state guidelines. In fact if that is true they may have a hard time building anything there much less a Super Walmart.
HarfordLassie
3:28 pm on Friday, October 12, 2012
Update- http://belair.patch.com/blog_posts/is-it-hopeless-to-oppose-the-924plumtree-walmart
Ahmad0001
11:59 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
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