Residents unite to fight planned West Dundee Wal-Mart plan
A group opposing a proposed Wal-Mart SuperCenter in West Dundee wants the world's largest retailer to know that its bright yellow smiley face is not welcome in the town.
Dundee Neighbors, a coalition of residents and businesses, says the development slated for the 27.5-acre lot at Huntley Road and Elm Avenue is wrong for West Dundee.
At least a half dozen Dundee Neighbors members spoke during the rescheduled public hearing Monday night at Randall Oaks Golf Club.
More than 175 people attended the hearing at which Wal-Mart spent about 90 minutes petitioning for a number of site variances.
Village officials estimated about 30 people addressed the commission and Wal-Mart representatives, pushing the meeting until 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.
"They just wanted a chance to convey their concerns to commissions," said Brian O'Connor, an attorney representing the neighbors group. "This establishes a record so that the commission can make an accurate finding of facts and take that back to the village board."
The group, which formed after a public hearing in April was delayed because of a large crowd, cited a wide range of environmental concerns, quality-of-life issues and alleged negative economic effects on the rest of the community.
"What is clear is that West Dundee's small-town, Main Street character would suffer irreparable harm by the opening of a 24-hour, mega-giant retailer in a residential neighborhood," said the group's spokeswoman, Lisa Geisler, in a news release.
"The small retailers who typically prop up Main Street shopping could be discouraged, young families looking for a safe, quiet town will look elsewhere, and the quaint nature of our historic river town will be sacrificed for a quick fix to a budget gap caused by temporary economic conditions," the release continued.
Another 200 West Dundee residents have signed a petition denouncing the proposed 186,000-square-foot development, which will include a retail center, full-service grocery store, garden center and drive-through pharmacy. The retailer will not sell firearms at the location.
"This proposal is wrong for West Dundee," the petition states. "We need something that is harmonious with our community character."
But representatives for Wal-Mart said the village has determined that the development is an appropriate use for the site, on the northern edge of Spring Hill Mall.
"We are not seeking rezoning," said Rob Gamruth, regional land-use and zoning counsel for Wal-Mart. "We are focusing on the design to address the impact on surrounding properties. This is a permitted use in harmony with the zoning plan."
The village's director of community development, Cathleen Tymoszenko, said the store is consistent with the village's 2005 comprehensive plan, as well as plans from 1983 and 1995.
The public hearing has closed but the village is accepting written correspondence until 4:30 p.m. Monday.
Planning and zoning commissioners will deliberate on the petitioner's variances requests at the May 27 meeting at Randall Oaks Golf Club, 4101 Binnie Road.