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Wegmans foes fear traffic
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Columbia, Md (Map, News) - Opponents of a planned Wegmans in Columbia say traffic would overwhelm the streets, and some say the traffic study of the area underestimated the volume.
“I think the traffic study needs to be revisited,” said Donald Harman, a Columbia resident who lives a few blocks from the site for the proposed two-story, 160,000-square-foot Wegmans Food Market at the intersection of Snowden River Parkway and McGaw Road in Howard.
To accommodate the store, which is about twice the size of an average grocery store, the company agreed to make road improvements to the 12-acre site, including extending a turn lane and installing a light at the entrance, according to the county’s report on the project.
Howard’s planners approved the final plan for the project, which included the traffic study, conducted by the Baltimore-based Traffic Group, and Wegmans’ road improvements.
“We’ve met all the criteria,” said Richard Talkin, an attorney representing Wegmans.
But residents said at Thursday’s Planning Board meeting that the traffic study used low estimates of road use.
Snowden River Parkway “as it is now is not adequate” and often congested, said resident Ron Yaffe.
Pennsylvania-based traffic engineer Frank Tavani, who prepared his own traffic review on behalf of Wegmans opponents, said the traffic analysis failed to take into account the size of the store and traffic generated on Saturdays.
Attorney Susan Gray, representing resident Carvel Mays, who opposes Wegmans, said she has appealed the approval of the final plan.
The Planning Board delayed its decision until later this month on the building plan. The board must approve a proposed clock tower, which would extend beyond the building’s 50-foot limit. Wegmans officials called the clock tower a “trademark element” of new stores.
smichael@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
4:45 AM MST on Mon., Feb. 18, 2008 re: "Wegmans moves forward in Howard"
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1:52 PM MST on Sat., Feb. 2, 2008
re: "Wegmans moves forward in Howard"
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8:28 AM MST on Sat., Feb. 2, 2008
re: "Wegmans moves forward in Howard"
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6:02 AM MST on Sun., Jan. 6, 2008
re: "Wegmans foes fear traffic"
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6:50 PM MST on Sat., Jan. 5, 2008
re: "Wegmans snuffs out smoke sales"
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Wegmans Forever said:
8:28 commenter . . . have you ever been to a Wegmans, ever? It isn't just another "grocery store" - it's Traders Joe, Giant, Safeway and Whole Foods all rolled together, with a big heap of great customer service. Please stop holding this up and let the construction move forward. I don't want to have to drive more than a hour in either direction to get to a Wegmans.
51 agree | 67 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Wegmans will be great for the area, by forcing the other local chains to improve service, product selection and lower prices. Retail workers will benefit by having one of the top Fortune rated employers in Howard County. The real opposition is from the grocers union, who is behind the appeals. They fear the competition. I am sure that if Wegmans was a union store, you would not hear any complaints about traffic.
84 agree | 65 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Just what we neeed another grocery store. We do not have enough now. Maybe we need another Fast Food also.
64 agree | 69 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
it all depends on how much money is paid to the politicians by whom. of course the county executive and police chief will place red light cameras, speed cameras, seat belt cameras and child safety seat cameras at every entrance and exit. it is all about the children. and the greedy, self-serving, corrupt politicians.
81 agree | 83 disagree
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Phil said:
This is an excellent decision. Hopefully other chains will eventually do the same. Maybe a few letter, e-mails or calls to head offices might help convince them.
121 agree | 96 disagree
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