Wednesday, October 16, 2002
Plans for the possible expansion are still in the preliminary stages.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Sam's Club here has expressed preliminary interest in branching out to another part of the township with a larger store, but several dozen residents who turned out for a trustees meeting are less than thrilled about the idea.
Zoning officials have said the wholesale chain has expressed interest in moving out of its location on South Avenue and building a 150,000-square-foot Super Sam's at South Avenue and Meadow Lane. The property on the road's east side is undeveloped and is home to some of the only remaining green space on South Avenue north of U.S. Route 224.
Assistant zoning inspector Darren Crivelli said the zoning office will respond to the company's inquiry in writing to address zoning concerns. Crivelli stressed that all proceedings to this point are preliminary and nothing official has been submitted by the company.
"They [Sam's Club] are nowhere near making a formal submittal and I don't expect to see a submittal for a few months," he said.
Crivelli said if the company decides to make the move and satisfies all necessary regulations in regard to the new store site, a permit will be granted.
Not happy with idea
The idea of the company moving to the new site is displeasing to township resident Aaron Kent, who lives near the area. According to Kent, residents in the area can already hear the noise created by businesses just beyond the wooded area where Sam's Club is looking to build. Another large store just means more noise, he said.
Resident Jim Petuch told trustees at their meeting Tuesday that green space in the area is at a premium and there is no sense in destroying what little is left. He said Sam's Club could simply expand on their current property.
Resident Marcelle Svenson implored trustees to hold new business development here to "a reasonable scale."
"Boardman has changed just in the 12 years since I have been here," she said. "Boardman does not have to keep being rolled over and asphalted."
Administrator Curt Seditz will take the proposed move to legal counsel to determine what power trustees have in dealing with a variety of concerns, including traffic flow, impact on real estate, noise and adequate police and fire protection.
Trustee Tom Costello reminded those at the meeting of the consumer power held by residents who shop at Sam's Club. He said residents should make their concerns known to the store.
"Stop in the store and tell the company, 'If you make this move, I will not be back,'" he said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com