E. Patchogue Walmart Discussion Continues

A motion to accept the for a potential East Patchogue Walmart was passed unanimously Monday at the Brookhaven Town Hall meeting in Farmingville.

The motion established to further the discussion on building the superstore on Hospital Road, based on minor changes to the contract made at the scoping meeting on June 23.

“All we did today is accept the comments that were added that changed the document,” chairman Vincent Pascale said. “The next step would be for [Walmart Long Island] to set a time for the hearing.”

About 40 attendees awaited the result of the motion, and left immediately after hearing the result. Pascale made it clear at the meeting’s beginning that there would not be a discussion, only a motion.

Yellow signs reading “Stop Walmart East Patchogue” sat in the second row and were carried out by EP Walmart Free Coalition members after the motion.

Annette Kattau, a resident of Barton Avenue for almost 50 years, was among them and voiced her concerns for the prospective Walmart.

“Do we really need any more big box stores? Small businesses have been hanging on by their thumbs and this will be the biggest detriment,” Kattau said. “The right thing that should happen is that this should not be approved.”

According to Kattau, the (DEIS) report brought forth by Walmart was outdated and didn’t help the corporation’s case.

Aside from small businesses suffering from an economic blow, heavier traffic and environmental damage are major points of by Coalition members. 

“We don’t want it. We want to stay rural, we want to save the environment and support small businesses,” Kattau said. “It’s going to be interesting to see what happens, I’m not getting a good feeling.”

The scope plan is for a 98,000 square foot Walmart that would be located on Hospital Road should it pass. This is down from an originally proposed 108,000 square foot store, but the Town zoning that would have allowed this in June 2010.