The Antis Township Board of Supervisors met in front of a packed house last night, as residents anticipated a presentation by representatives from Walmart regarding the plans for a new Supercenter in Pinecroft.
Several of those in attendance were residents of BelAire Estates, which is located adjacent to the 130-acre lot Walmart is looking to build on.
Sarah Miller, who spoke on behalf of BelAire residents at the last township meeting, was also in attendance this month to discuss plans with the Walmart representatives.
In December, she presented the board with a list of six major concerns including traffic congestion, impacts from blasting, safety issues with police and the volunteer fire department, storm water runoff, sewage and noise and light pollution.
A memo was sent out to Walmart representatives after the meeting, listing the concerns discussed.
Walmart engineer, Alex Lapinsky, addressed those concerns and presented revised plans to those in attendance.
A major concern of BelAire Estates residents was an access road off of Sabbath Rest Road.
Miller presented her case last month, saying Sabbath Rest Road is a narrow, country road with no shoulder. Her concern was with the traffic congestion that would be created along this back road. Also, the road is used as a cut-through for the Pinecroft Volunteer Fire Department, as well as school buses.
The group felt the west entrance off of Sabbath Rest Road is in a bad position located just over a small hill and around a blind curve.
“It’s an accident waiting to happen,” said Miller.
In Walmart’s new plans, the entrance off of Sabbath Rest Road has been eliminated. Access to the store will come off of Rt. 220. According to Lapinsky, adjustments were made to the 220 entrance, flattening it out and adding double lanes to accommodate the traffic. Trucks will also use that entrance but will be rerouted around the parking lot for safety issues.
With all the traffic coming off of Rt. 220, Lapinsky said work will have to be done on the road. Double left hand turning lanes will be added, along with a traffic light at the intersection.
BelAire residents also requested a 300-foot buffer be included in the plans. Although, an Antis Township ordinance only requires a 25-foot buffer. Mary Svoboda explained to the group Walmart is willing to create a 50-foot buffer and include in the land’s deed that the area may not be developed commercially or for residential use. It will also restrict the building of a road through the specified area.
According to Jeff Rutter, Walmart’s design manager for western Pennsylvania, with the elimination of the Sabbath Rest Road entrance, adjustments were also made to the building, lowering it approximately four feet.
“Basically the store will be sitting in a hole, you won’t even be able to tell it’s there,” said Rutter.
Plans show the back of the store to be 500-600 feet away from BelAire Estates property lines.
Walmart representatives also said they are flexible when it comes to selling property to the BelAire residents and allowing them to extend their property lines.
After safety concerns were brought up in December, Walmart invited a representatives from the State Police to address the concerned individuals. Officer Jeff Petucci listened to residents as they expressed their concerns. One problem brought up was the fact that Antis Township does not have its own police force and must rely on the State Police. Due to this, residents shared worries about response time and manpower when it came to incidents at the new store.
“The Walmart stores in Bedford and Huntingdon are in our area and we haven’t had problems with them,” said Petucci.
“We don’t foresee it as any type of problem,” he said of the new Walmart.
Supervisor Charles Taylor questioned whether or not the state police had the ability to increase manpower if necessary.
“Yes, we’re flexible,” said Petucci, explaining that the number of incidents are looked at throughout the area and it is determined from that how many officers are assigned to each zone.
The question of asking Bellwood Borough and Logan Township police to help was also brought up.
“We do back each other up,” said Petucci, “We’ve done it in the past and we still do it.”
Svoboda added that before a Walmart is built, a crime study is done in the surrounding area.
“Antis Township was not a very high risk,” said Svoboda.
Rutter, also addressed the safety concerns of residents. He explained there is security at Walmart.
“It’s people’s perception that Walmart brings crime,” said Rutter, “but Walmart has a no tolerance policy.”
“They go through extensive training,” said Rutter. He said a lot of Walmart’s security personnel are retired military or have a background in law enforcement.
“These aren’t your typical Walmart employees, they’re highly trained,” he explained, saying the cashier isn’t going to work security.
“Obviously we want our customers and associates to be safe,” said Svoboda.
Representatives also addressed the issue of snow removal. They said the fire company has already been onsite to make recommendations.
With new Walmart stores popping up all over the area, people have been questioning what will happen with the Walmart located on Plank Road in Altoona.
“We’re going to keep the store on Plank Road. It’s doing well,” said Svoboda. “We don’t just close a Supercenter.”
Walmart plans to make a formal proposal regarding the Antis Township store within one to two months.
