Pickerington Area Taxpayers Alliance

Another Parker Doctrine

Don't forget - ''Impact Fees will drive commercial development into the township.''

Mayor Brainless is supporting that Parker Doctrine by trying to shove a JEDD on the Wright Road property and this Wal-Mart deal down everyone's throats.

I guess he is looking for job security for himself and the bottle blondes for two years from now.

''Hi, welcome to Wal-Mart. Would you like a cart?''

the facts please?

I thought I read that the developer's lawyer stated that they will not ask for any TIF's or abatements. If this is the case, then there will be revenue from this project.

Regarding the impact on fire/police services, I agree that any development will have an impact. However, I read that many of the runs over to Taylor Station, that justified the new fire station there, are due to the nursing home (Wesley Ridge?) located there. That's why medic services were crucial to the new station.

While having the new Kohl's in town provides great access to this type of shopping, I continually read, in the ''Police Blotter,'' about shoplifting incidences there.

Pickerington made a bid mistake, a long time ago, when they allowed the Marcus Theater to eat up valuable acreage in such close proximity to the interstate. Not only did they TIF, but there are few employees and wages are minimum. At least a big box store, of some type, would provide a lot more employment opportunities, even if they are minimum wage. And, there's taxes on inventory.

Certainly the Township shouldn't have to pony up for all the road improvements, nor should they provide abatements. There's still room for negotiation. . .

Facts

Facts are the RJ-Reynolds-burg police park a manned police trailer in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in the summer months due to the high rate of crime that occurs there when the weather gets warm.

Facts are that the Reynoldsburg Wal-Mart developer did a 15yr traffic study that was outdated the day the store opened.

Facts are the roads around North and this proposed development would be expanded by the County, not the township. Why do you think the county voted NO against this development?

Facts are Kroger may be big-box by size standards but grocery-only generates a fraction of the traffic retail does.

Assumption can be made that if Wal-Mart did end up there it would put the Refugee Kroger out of business - do we need more vacant buildings?

Fact is Wal-Mart has no problem shuttering unprofitable stores - do we need more vacant buildings?

Fact is the roads will NOT be expanded to the point that makes this feasible by the developer. It would be unprofitable to expand Refugee/Pickerington roads to the point they need to be to support the traffic the development will generate.

I'm not anti-big box nor am I a NIMBY. I just think this location is extremely poor for this type of development. Put this out at Allen road or close to 33 where there is little development and little surronding competition. Look how the area around the Reynoldsburg Wal-Mart expanded compared to what it was prior.

Just a quick response?…

Impact on Fire Department? Sure and they have a new station less than a mile away. No justification for another station. Sorry Trustees, your pet department will have to look south for opportunities.

You?’re right on the crime statistics because of Kohl's, but don?’t forget about where Cracker Barrel, et al are. Easy access to a get away just like this new big box will be. You can get lost on the back roads and be in Zanesville before a Sheriff can be there.

Agree on the Marcus mistake for what you mention and a LOT of other reasons. But?…have you been to Wal-Mart, Lowe?’s or Home Depot lately? I have and I can tell you they run a skeleton crew all hours they are open and all have installed self-serve checkouts to further reduce staff. I think you?’ll be sorely disappointed in the income tax revenues possible.

If you don?’t think the trustees should have to pony up for all roadway improvements, which I think they so since the county is firmly against this development, who do you propose be included in paying for improving so many roads to support this development?