Residents in Englewood, Ohio are organizing to block a proposed 250,000 s.f. Wal-Mart supercenter on the edge of town, just 3 miles from an existing Wal-Mart discount store in Trotwood. Locals are betting that if Wal-Mart is allowed to build the supercenter in Englewood, that the Trotwood Wal-Mart is history. The Englewood plan has drawn fire from neighbors, because the huge project lies along a 2 lane road which prohibits truck traffic. Here’s a report from a resident in the abutting town of Clayton: ” My neighborhood is going to be destroyed by a Wal-Mart Superstore.?? This project will affect three cities (Englewood, Ohio, Clayton, Ohio and Trotwood, Ohio).??Englewood is welcoming Wal-Mart to their City.?? There is no access to the property, but Wal-Mart has offered certain City of Englewood residents many dollars to sell and supposedly they plan to do so, thus allowing access.?? It seems as though everything is ready to move forward.??Clayton is affected as Clayton borders the location.?? Everyone will suffer due to their serious financial situation and inability to improve roadways involved. Trotwood will be left with an empty Wal-Mart located in their City (exactly 3.5 miles from the new location). I am strongly opposed because my neighborhood abuts the location. Certain neighbors received a Public Notice from the US Army Corps of Engineers because Wal-Mart proposes to impact 1,280 linear feet of stream channel to facilitate the construction of a Wal-Mart.???? We have requested a public hearing within the specified timeframe.?? Since notification, our neighborhood has met and put the wheels in motion to see what can be done to stop the project.????One major factor on our side (I believe) is the traffic situation. There will be just one entrance to Wal-Mart.?? That entrance will be off of Hoke Road.?? Hoke Road is a very narrow road located partially in the City of Englewood and partially in the City of Clayton.?? Englewood has recently improved their portion of Hoke Road to meet the needs of an industrial park, but Clayton is in severe financial trouble and does not have the means to improve their portion of the road.?? There is absolutely no way either City’s portion of the road can support the traffic Wal-Mart will create.?? (Not to mention the two cities are at odds.)?? Englewood will probably be able to take care of their portion.?? Also, Hoke Road is heavily traveled by Northmont High School students.?? In addition, The Miami Valley Career Center (a high school tech school) is located on a portion of Hoke Road and will be affected by the increased traffic, thus endangering additional high school students.” Part of the land Wal-Mart wants is zoned residential, and lies within Clayton, and the town may not be favorably disposed to granting a zoning change. It looks like Wal-Mart has ignited a spark in three towns in Ohio, and there’s no telling how hot the flames will get.
For local contacts fighting Wal-Mart in Englewood, contact [email protected]
