TRR photo by Krista Gromalski MADSET leader Bill Kieger, left, and other core group members conduct a protest prior to the Milford Planning Commission meeting where Home Depot presented its application. (Click for larger image)

By KRISTA GROMALSKI

MILFORD - "The key word here is 'sprawl,'" said Bill Kieger, a Milford Councilman who also heads a Home Depot opposition group called the Milford Alliance to Defeat Sprawl at Exit Ten (MADSET).

Kieger and a core group of MADSET supporters held a formal protest outside the Milford Township Municipal Building at the September 25 meeting where Home Depot representatives presented their application to the Milford Planning Commission.

"We're not going away until this goes away," said Krieger, who suggested that the store consider an alternate location in an already developed section of Westfall Township.

Earlier this year, Home Depot submitted a proposal to construct one of its stores on a 43-acre parcel near the intersection of Route 6 and Interstate 84 near Schoccopee Road in Milford Township.

Since the initial proposal, much opposition to the plan has erupted. "We're not opposed to Home Depot, we're opposed to the location," said Kieger.

MADSET is concerned about the effect such a development will have on the environment, economy and quality of life, according to Kieger. Speaking at the meeting, he asked the commission to conduct impact studies on these issues.

"If you think about the quality of life tradeoff that comes with a development like this... the air quality is diminished and the water supply," he said.

Kieger also requested a public hearing on the matter.

Home Depot's application was submitted in two parts, according to Richard Lamont, site development coordinator for the plan. Home Depot, who is asking for a three-lot subdivision of the land, is the applicant developer, but will actually occupy only a 16-acre portion of the site plan. All the data submitted is for the entire parcel, he said.

MADSET member Tom Kilduff said the company would not name the other businesses planning to occupy the remaining space.

Kicking off the meeting, Kevin Stroyan of the planning commission said, "At some point down the line... this board will have to make a recommendation to the supervisors for it to go to the next level."

Following Home Depot's presentation, the commission, for a second time, called the application incomplete, and is requiring more details on traffic flow.

Home Depot will return to Milford again on October30.

"The idea is to do what is appropriate and right, not just what's convenient," Krieger said.

MADSET has a current mailing list of 250 individuals and Krieger presented a petition against the project containing 188 signatures. "I estimate that we are at close to 400 members," he said.