Developer unveils Wal-Mart plan for Monsey
By SULAIMAN BEG
sbeg@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
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(Original publication: November 30, 2005)
AIRMONT — The developers of a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter at the former Rockland Drive-In Theater in Monsey presented preliminary plans to the Ramapo Planning Board last night.
National Realty & Development Corp. of Purchase is seeking to build a single, 35-foot-high building on the 22-acre site for use as a 215,000-square-foot Wal-Mart.
Steven Grogg, the project's engineer, briefly discussed the project's details with the board and said they were conducting various studies and expected comments from the state Department of Transportation by the weekend.
"We're working with the town to provide a rigorous review and respond to their comments," he told board members.
While not a public hearing, Spring Valley Village Attorney Bruce Levine questioned why his village was not notified of the meeting, since the proposed site abuts the village.
"It is premature to hear any comments," said First Deputy Town Attorney Alan Berman. "It's just a discussion. They're not here for any formal review."
Berman said the developer would go before the Planning Board next year.
Jerrold Bermingham, managing director of the development company, said Wal-Mart and his company would have a tenant-landlord relationship.
The Route 59 location in central Monsey is down the street from an existing Wal-Mart in Airmont, which at 99,000 square feet is less than half the size of the proposed Monsey store.
The Monsey store also would contain a full-service grocery store, which would compete with the nearby Pathmark; a 1,750-square-foot gas station; a tire and lubrication service area; and 992 parking spaces.
The site rests next to land owned by the state DOT that was promised to Spring Valley and the town for parkland.
The proposed Wal-Mart would be built near a senior center complex and two apartment houses.
Village officials have opposed the store because they believe it would affect area businesses and worsen traffic along that portion of Route 59.
Spring Valley Mayor George Darden has said a Wal-Mart would hurt small businesses that the village plans to attract with its urban renewal program. He said a preliminary site plan and environmental study done by TRC Raymond Keyes Associates of Hawthorne, estimated peak times would see 1,192 vehicle trips per hour.
Levine said earlier yesterday that the town should keep the village informed of all dealings concerning the proposed store.
"It's a major issue," he said. "It's a regional issue. A Wal-Mart Supercenter could have effects up and down the line. We want to be notified and involved in the process."
Levine said the county Planning Board had reviewed the site plan application and recommended, among other things, that the developer remove the gas station, get all the state DOT reviews and permits and submit a traffic impact study to the county.
Levine said that according to state law, when there is a proposal bordering another municipality, the county needs to review the application, and if it disapproves of the project, a voting board would need a supermajority — five out of seven members voting in favor.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051130/NEWS03/511300360/1019
By SULAIMAN BEG
sbeg@thejournalnews.com
THE JOURNAL NEWS
Related news from the Web
Latest headlines by topic:
• Big Box Retailers
• Real Estate
• Theater
• Arts
Powered by Topix.net
(Original publication: November 30, 2005)
AIRMONT — The developers of a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter at the former Rockland Drive-In Theater in Monsey presented preliminary plans to the Ramapo Planning Board last night.
National Realty & Development Corp. of Purchase is seeking to build a single, 35-foot-high building on the 22-acre site for use as a 215,000-square-foot Wal-Mart.
Steven Grogg, the project's engineer, briefly discussed the project's details with the board and said they were conducting various studies and expected comments from the state Department of Transportation by the weekend.
"We're working with the town to provide a rigorous review and respond to their comments," he told board members.
While not a public hearing, Spring Valley Village Attorney Bruce Levine questioned why his village was not notified of the meeting, since the proposed site abuts the village.
"It is premature to hear any comments," said First Deputy Town Attorney Alan Berman. "It's just a discussion. They're not here for any formal review."
Berman said the developer would go before the Planning Board next year.
Jerrold Bermingham, managing director of the development company, said Wal-Mart and his company would have a tenant-landlord relationship.
The Route 59 location in central Monsey is down the street from an existing Wal-Mart in Airmont, which at 99,000 square feet is less than half the size of the proposed Monsey store.
The Monsey store also would contain a full-service grocery store, which would compete with the nearby Pathmark; a 1,750-square-foot gas station; a tire and lubrication service area; and 992 parking spaces.
The site rests next to land owned by the state DOT that was promised to Spring Valley and the town for parkland.
The proposed Wal-Mart would be built near a senior center complex and two apartment houses.
Village officials have opposed the store because they believe it would affect area businesses and worsen traffic along that portion of Route 59.
Spring Valley Mayor George Darden has said a Wal-Mart would hurt small businesses that the village plans to attract with its urban renewal program. He said a preliminary site plan and environmental study done by TRC Raymond Keyes Associates of Hawthorne, estimated peak times would see 1,192 vehicle trips per hour.
Levine said earlier yesterday that the town should keep the village informed of all dealings concerning the proposed store.
"It's a major issue," he said. "It's a regional issue. A Wal-Mart Supercenter could have effects up and down the line. We want to be notified and involved in the process."
Levine said the county Planning Board had reviewed the site plan application and recommended, among other things, that the developer remove the gas station, get all the state DOT reviews and permits and submit a traffic impact study to the county.
Levine said that according to state law, when there is a proposal bordering another municipality, the county needs to review the application, and if it disapproves of the project, a voting board would need a supermajority — five out of seven members voting in favor.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051130/NEWS03/511300360/1019