Zoning Rollback May Shrink Proposed Walmart

A 108,000 square foot Walmart will not be able to come to the Hospital Road and Sunrise Highway intersection in East Patchogue because three parcels of land where the large store would have stood were recinded on Tuesday by the Brookhaven Town Board. 

As reported earlier, this zoning change does not stop the possibility of a Walmart coming to East Patchogue.  Linda Margolin, attorney who represents the owner of the land, AW Realty, stated at the last meeting that plans have been made to still build a smaller 98,000 square foot Walmart.  Also, as a result of the zoning, AW Realty will receive the $250,000 initial investment they made as part of their agreement.  Margolin was called for follow up comment today but declined.

East Patchogue residents who attended the meeting because they opposed a Walmart at the intersection were not thrown from their fight against it even though the smaller 98,000 square foot store was still possible.

"We are opposed to any size Walmart at that location. It is a two lane highway near a hospital, next to a nature preserve, in a completely residential neighborhood," said MaryAnn Johnston, president of Affiliated Brookhaven Civic Organizations (ABCO). Thirty year East Patchogue resident Dan Wirshup echoed Johston's sentiments. "A residential neighborhood should not have a commercial property of that scale," he said.

Concerns about traffic were also cited by residents as a major issue about having a large business in this area, "There is traffic gridlock now at certain times. Additional traffic is a safety issue. Can you imagine if an ambulance can't get through traffic to get someone to the hospital or if the fire department can't get through because one big truck will gridlock the bridge?" said Paul Falvey, who lives on the street where Walmart would like to build. "Plus, a new church is being built and I believe there has already been approval for a gas station to go up near the intersection as well."

In addition to the attorney's office, no one from AW Realty could be reached for comment.