Wal-Mart, the retail giant of Bentonville, Arkansas, came before the Wawarsing planning board on Tuesday evening to unveil its plans for a large retail center, which will be situated on the site of the now-defunct Ames department store at the Napanoch Valley Mall on Route 209.

Matt Smith, the lead engineer on the project, told the board that the new facility will encompass approximately 125,000 square feet of retail space, which will include a garden center as well as parking for approximately 550 cars.

Smith also presented a drawing of the new building, which will be unlike the large "blue-box" stores seen in other parts of the country. The drawings depict a building that will be "earth-toned" in color, and the site will be landscaped so as to reduce the impact on the local view-shed along Route 209.

The company also detailed the new retail subdivision it will require in order for the project to go forward. A property line along the northern boundary of the property will be moved, taking a small portion of land from the Napanoch Fire Department. Wal-Mart will compensate Napanoch by giving the Fire Department a similarly-sized piece of land situated behind the new retail facility.

The plan also calls for the widening of Route 209, a project which will include turn lanes heading both north and south, as well as signalized access to the facility.

Several members of the board were concerned about the number of parking spaces, asking the company whether the number of spaces proposed is in line with those recommended by current traffic engineering wisdom. Wal-Mart assured the board that its parking plans reflect the current thinking and that the 550 spaces should be more than ample. The board seemed satisfied with Wal-Mart's explanation.

As reported earlier this year, some of the businesses which are currently located in the small courtyard area of the mall, including the Napanoch Post Office, would be relocated to a new 7,500 square foot building, which will be located on the southernmost portion of the property. Rickie Len's Country Restaurant will remain in its present location.

Wal-Mart requested that the board declare its intent to act as lead agency with regard to the project, a formality which is required in order to coordinate the various agencies and departments who will oversee the project. The board agreed to do so. Wal-Mart also requested that the board schedule a public hearing, which would be held during the next planning board meeting. The board acceded to this request, as well. As such, the public hearing will be held on November 25 at 7 p.m. in the second floor courtroom of town hall.

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