We fought the wal and the wal lost!

Last night we attended our first town board meeting. The hot issue is (and has been) the proposed site of a new 230,000 sq ft Wal-Mart super Center about 5 blocks from our house at the intersection of the two busiest roads in town. (a five corner intersection no less).

The no Sprawl Mart forces have been active for about a year (so well in advance of our arrival -- or even purchase of the home) but the town board had only one of nine members against Wal-Mart. They even recently removed a zoning cap prohibiting 90,000 sq ft. or larger stores this made it more difficult to refuse a Wal-Mart plan.

You should know that from here you need drive only 8 miles north to a Wal-Mart or 12 miles south to another if that's your shopping predeliction.

Many of the reasons we chose this town would be undone by a Wal-Mart nearby.
One gentleman cited the late 90's decision of the town of Lake Placid NY to reject Wal-Mart and how they are very happy with the results of the decision today.

When the site proposal came to a vote a motion was made (by a Republican) that it should not even be considered as it is not in keeping with town's master growth plan! The motion carried! Yes!

Our first meeting and -- victory!

For now. Wal-Mart will likely return with a modified plan. Perhaps less sq. footage will appease some opponents. But it's good to know the town council has (finally) heard the will of what seems to be the majority.