July 12, 2008
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The township Planning Commission on Thursday recommended the supervisors adopt a plan for a 155,114-square-foot Wal-Mart SuperCenter on Route 29, just south of Tunkhannock.
The supervisors are scheduled to review the plans July 21.
The planning commission recommended approval of the plan for the SuperCenter with conditions, including that a state Department of Transportation Highway occupancy permit is secured and that the store’s parking lot cannot be used for overnight parking, among others.
According to plans, the SuperCenter would be located near Skyhaven Airport and across from the present Wal-Mart store. Separate 1-acre and 2-acre parcels would also be a part of the development.
Wal-Mart is in a purchase agreement to buy the land from Select Sires of Plain City, Ohio.
Previously, representatives of Wal-Mart said the SuperCenter would be 154,702 square feet.
On Thursday, attorney Mark Van Loon of Wilkes-Barre said drawings incorrectly listed the store’s size at 154,702 square feet, instead of 155,114 square feet.
William Schneider of Scranton-based CEI Engineering Associates said that environmental and archeological surveys of the site have not turned up “anything of consequences.”
The property does not have wetlands, he said.
Also on Thursday, the commission agreed in principle that it would review its zoning ordinance and adjust permitted sound levels related to wind turbines.
Mehoopany Wind Energy LLC, a subsidiary of BP Alternative Energy, expects to build up to 89 turbines in Noxen, Eaton, Forkston and Mehoopany townships.
Around 16 to 18 turbines may be built in Eaton Township, according to BP Alternative Energy Business Developer Kevin Davis.
Davis and environmental consultant Phil Ponebshek explained to the commission the sound produced by turbines located in Eaton Township would be 50 decibels, above guidelines found in the township’s zoning ordinance.
The turbines would be located in a remote area, away from homes, Davis said.
The township ordinance states a turbine cannot produce more than 50 decibels at a property line from 9 p.m. through 7 a.m. during the week and all day Sunday, said Ponebshek.
By Josh Mrozinski
Wyoming County Bureau Chief
12 July 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/12/eaton-twp-planning-commission-oks-wal-mart-supercenter-plan/