Store seeks public input

The retailer needs a zone change to build a supercenter.

CANFIELD — Wal-Mart representatives want to meet with residents about the company’s plans to build a supercenter in the township.

Public meetings are set for 7 p.m. Jan. 15 and 16 at Mill Creek MetroParks Farm’s McMahon Hall on state Route 46 south of the city of Canfield.

The company would like RSVPs from people. Call (330) 533-6821 and indicate which night you will attend.

The company wants to build a store on nearly 28 acres behind the Taco Bell and the old Harley Davidson location on U.S. Route 224. The land is also bounded by Raccoon Road to the west.

To be able to build, the company needs a zone change. Fourteen of the 28 acres are zoned residential and must be changed to business.

Ron Mosby, senior manager of public affairs for the company, said the meetings are going to be set up over two nights to accommodate as many people as possible.

Topics are going to include how the store will affect traffic, the site plan, what the store will look like and some economic benefits to the community, he said. Questions will be encouraged.

Wal-Mart will likely wait until sometime after the meetings before approaching the Mahoning County Planning Commission again for the zone change, Mosby said.

The company applied for the change in October, but withdrew its application immediately after it appeared the commission was going to vote to recommend denying it.

Company representatives also have been to a township zoning commission workshop meeting, where they answered questions from that panel.