W. Dundee residents still say no to Wal-Mart

Resistance to a proposed Wal-Mart SuperCenter in West Dundee continued Monday, with residents seizing their first opportunity to address village trustees.

More than two dozen residents from West Dundee, as well as neighboring Carpentersville and Sleepy Hollow, denounced the proposed 186,000-square-foot development during the village's committee of the whole meeting.

One person spoke in favor of bringing the store to town.

Though the committee meetings typically exclude public comments, Village President Larry Keller permitted audience participation on the Wal-Mart agenda item.

"We want to hear your comments," Keller told the audience before opening the floor to public comments. "Oftentimes it seems that things are a done deal. That is not necessarily the case. There are some things we can do, and there are some things we can't do."

The world's largest retailer has proposed a SuperCenter at the corner of Huntley Road and Elm Avenue on the outskirts of Spring Hill Mall.

Wal-Mart's proposed store will include a general merchandise section and full-service grocery store, a garden center and a drive-through pharmacy.

Though the proposed 31-acre site was zoned for a regional retailer such as Wal-Mart in 2000, dozens of residents have spoken out against the development near the Tartans Glen subdivision.

Residents say the development, which would occupy a parcel of land first zoned for a Meijer store in 2000, does not suit the community's image and would increase traffic, as well as crime.

Furthermore, residents said the village should not count on the retailer to increase revenue as Spring Hill Mall flails.

"It is not something that will enhance our community," said West Dundee resident Ariana Fontana, one of about 25 people who spoke Monday night. "Don't take what you can get. The village can do better and residents deserve better."

Though Rob Gamruth, Wal-Mart's counsel for land use and zoning, said the store would complement Spring Hill Mall, resident Michael Elmore said it would instead compete with the mall.

"I don't think throwing money at a bad situation is a good thing for West Dundee," Elmore said.

The village's planning and zoning commission last month recommended several variances to the retailer's site plan, including taller light poles, wider curb cuts, larger but fewer parking lot islands and two-way parking aisles.

Keller said the village board would take action on the variance requests at the next board meeting scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday at village hall.

Public comments will not be permitted at that meeting.

"We can't accept public comments every night," Keller said, referring to two previous planning and zoning commission meetings, and last week's appearance review commission meeting.

"That just puts off making a decision. Next week is decision week."