St Albains Vt

Vt. high court clears the way for St. Albans Walmart

A big win for Walmart in St. Albans Friday.

Vermont's environmental court handed down a ruling in favor of the store last winter, but opponents appealed the decision to the state's Supreme Court with concern over bias and environmental impacts.

Now, the 18-year battle has come to a close. The high court issued its 12-page decision Friday, and it all came down to the final word: approved.

The battle started back in 1993. Developers have been eyeing a field on Route 7 just south of the Swanton-St. Albans line for a Walmart, encouraging economic development.But environmental agencies have expressed other concerns.

Those against said opening a Walmart in space lead to a proliferation in the commercial development. The court noted more than 50 stores were opened in this area, not the store.

Opponents also argued that it would other discount stores out of business. The court said that since the argument began, Ames, Ben Franklin and Woolworth stores were all closed.

Another concern was the stress on the sewer system and an increase in the population. The court said that the numbers in schools have declined since the proposal was sent in.

"The Vermont Supreme Court is the end of the road. We intend to build the store, "said developer Jeff Davis. "We have some preliminary work done on Stevens Brook. So there is some preliminary work before Walmart can get, but we will very soon."

"We understand the people of St. Albans want access to consumer goods. We have argued for a store in another location, a store which is better across the community, not one that we think we have an economic impact on small businesses in the region. Our preference would have been a smaller store downtown, we would have endorsed that," said Brian Shupe of the Vermont Natural Resources Council.

WCAX News talked to local shoppers to get their reaction to the long, drawn-out decision.

Development has sprung up along Route 7 since the store was first proposed, and the downtown just a few miles down the road is also thriving. And those still not sold on the idea of the Walmart say their main concern with this kind of store is what it will do to the local mom and pop shops, but others argue they are in dire need of the discount retailer.

"It is 30 miles to do that kind of shopping around here. It will be nice to have closer to home shopping," said Penny of St. Albans, who didn't give her last name.

Vt. high court rules for St. Albans Wal-Mart - CBS MoneyWatch.com

MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Vermont Supreme Court has given a green light to a long-stalled Wal-Mart planned for St. Albans.

In a decision issued Friday, the justices upheld a Vermont Environmental Court order giving the go-ahead for developer JLD Properties of St. Albans to build a 126,000-square-foot Wal-Mart store near Route 7.

The court rejected an appeal by the Vermont Natural Resources Council, which had long opposed the store, saying it would bring in too much secondary development.

The store has been the subject of debate since a previous developer first proposed it in 1993.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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