Meeting attracts 100 residents questioning Wal-Mart proposal
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

The Hartford Homeowners Association is claiming North Bailey Avenue and Sweet Home Road can't handle the traffic that would come with the proposed Wal-Mart at the former Ames site on Sheridan Drive.

The group, along with other concerned residents, met on Thursday at St. Leo's Church to discuss concerns about the project with Supervisor Satish Mohan, council members Dan Ward and Shelly Schratz and assistant planning director Gary Black.

More than 100 people attended the meeting, claiming a Wal-Mart on the Sheridan Drive site would increase traffic, noise and the environmental pollution of Ellicott Creek.

"There has been a tremendous amount of traffic increasing through this area. This project might be the final straw - most people are against it for that reason," said Frank Pasztor, president of the Hartford Homeowners Association.

He added that everyone who spoke commented on traffic, noise or environmental pollution.

Pasztor has lived in the area for more than 30 years and has seen the traffic problems worsen with the development of office parks, plazas and the University at Buffalo.

Wal-Mart submitted a proposal in December for a 176,000-square-foot structure at Sheridan Drive and Bailey Avenue. The parcel, a former Ames department store, is zoned GM-general business and therefore will not go before the Town Board for approval.

The company is requesting three variances that would be determined by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Its next meeting is at 7 p.m. March 20 in town hall, 5583 Main St. At press time the agenda had not been released.

Pasztor said the group would continue to voice its concerns at the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board meetings. The Planning Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. March 15 at town hall. It was also unknown when the board plans to put the proposal on its agenda.

Mohan, who attended the meeting, said he believes the group's concerns should be addressed.

"I will be speaking at a Planning Board meeting during suspension of rules and voice my concerns," he said. "All those concerns can be mitigated."

He said noise barriers can be installed and safety issues can be addressed, as well as the traffic problem.

"It will cost a bit of money, but it can be taken care of," he said.

The community group is asking anyone interested in being involved to address e-mail to stopamherstsprawl@yahoo.com.