Opponents of a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Kilbuck lost a battle Wednesday when Emsworth Council agreed that the store could tap into the borough's sewer lines.
The council voted 6-1 in favor of the project, with Councilwoman Dee Quinn dissenting. Although the $28 million Wal-Mart Supercenter would be in Kilbuck, it is close to Emsworth's pump station, which needs major upgrading. The question of where water is treated and who pays for it is among the reasons that construction of the store has not begun.
"In the short run, this is not good for us. This makes it much easier for the developer to start construction," said Bob Keir, board member of Communities First!, a citizens group opposing the plan.
Council members who supported the plan said they were fearful of being forced to upgrade the pump station with no financial help from the developer. The developer has agreed to help pay for the upgrade, although no dollar figure has been determined, Emsworth Solicitor Michael Marmo said. Marmo said the pump station needs $100,000 worth of immediate repairs, even without the Wal-Mart project.
"If we turn them down, what will we gain?" Councilwoman Betty Hahn asked. "It's not our place to say whether Wal-Mart is good for the country."
The proposed Wal-Mart would occupy about 75 acres of the 407-acre site of the former Dixmont State Hospital. The project has faced opposition since plans were announced in January 2002, including a lawsuit that is under appeal.
Developers would have found a way to handle the wastewater even if Emsworth officials did not allow use of their sewers, said William Sittig, an attorney for ASC Development Inc. of Emsworth, which is the developer for the Wal-Mart project.
ASC still lacks approval from environmental regulators and does not have permits for road improvements and asbestos removal.
Kevin Brett, an engineer with ASC, said developers expect to start work in the next few months and complete the store by fall 2005, weather permitting.
"We are extremely happy" with Emsworth's decision, said Ralph Stroyne, who owns the Dixmont site. "This allows the project to go forward."
Keir said he thinks Emsworth officials were bullied into the decision by the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, which gave the borough an Aug. 20 deadline to decide the matter.
Emsworth officials have not complained to Alcosan, said the agency's spokeswoman, Nancy Barylak.
Council President Maria West said she did not feel bullied. She also said she does not think borough officials are compromising the ability to negotiate with the developer.
Last year, Emsworth rejected ASC's proposal to pay $267,000 toward upgrading the borough pump station. Borough officials said that wasn't enough to cover expansion and maintenance costs.
In April, Emsworth officials said Wal-Mart would bring traffic and safety problems -- but no tax revenue -- to the borough.
Communities First! asked council to delay the wastewater vote by 120 days.
"If you agree to this now, you will not get the best deal you possibly could," Keir said.
