BOARDMAN Group opposes Sam's Club's interest in moving store to another location

The group is not in support of boycotting the store.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Several dozen residents from the Boardman and Poland area are joining to oppose the potential relocation of the Sam's Club store on South Avenue.
The group plans to take its concerns before township trustees and zoning officials at a meeting tonight in the township government building.
Sam's Club has expressed written interest in moving its store at 7461 South Ave. to an undeveloped lot at 6361 South Ave. No plans have been submitted to the township. The new site is just north of Lowe's.
The proposed store would be about 150,000 square feet, including a grocery store. The move is being opposed by many area residents and businesses, including a band of local grocers.
Reasons for opposition
Chuck Budinsky, spokesman for the newly formed Concerned Citizens of Boardman and Poland, said the group is opposed to the potential move because it will have a negative effect on traffic volume, noise levels, water drainage, property value and the environment.
"We are saying that if Sam's Club wants a larger store, why can't they expand at the current facility? The area around here is already too congested," he said.
Budinsky said he wants Sam's Club to take the group's concerns into consideration, but the group doesn't plan to boycott the store or take any similar action. He said elected township officials should be able to stop the move, but he did not say how that should be done.
Trustee Tom Costello said the county prosecutor's office advised trustees not to interfere with Sam's Club's decision to buy the land and build a new store. To do so, he said, would be considered restraint of trade and could possibly land trustees in court.
The group is urging residents to attend the 7 p.m. meeting and address trustees and zoning officials.
Some residents who attended an outdoor meeting Monday said home rule status here is no good if trustees cannot use it to prevent such unwanted relocations. Some said the home rule issue should be placed on the ballot and voted down -- as done recently in Austintown.
Alcohol sales
Some in the township believe the move may be a moot point with the rejection of a permit request by voters that would have allowed Sam's Club to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks at the new location. The current Sam's Club is permitted to sell alcohol.
Costello said it is his understanding that the company was definitely interested in continuing alcohol sales if a new store were to be built.