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James Island Group says

posted 10:15 pm Fri March 07, 2008 - James Island

reporter: Shawn Smetana posted by: Brian Heins

tags: walmart • james island • islanders

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Plans are in motion to expand the Wal-Mart on James Island to a supercenter, but not without a fight from a newly formed organization. The store is located on Folly road. Wal-mart would need to acquire three acres of wetlands for the expansion. A group called Islanders for Reasonable Expansion, a grassroots movement wants to put a stop to the super Wal-Mart plan.

The Walmart on Folly road sits in the heart of James Island, flanked by wetlands and grand trees over hundreds of years old. A possible expansion into a supercenter puts the future of these nature resources in jeopardy.

“We are committed to stopping Walmart,” said Amy Fabri, President of Islanders for Reasonable Expansion.

Fabri says the group doesn't want the wetlands destroyed so Walmart can add a grocery store to its existing facility.

“There are five grocery stores on this stretch of Folly road, we don't need another,” said Fabri.

Fabri is not alone; an on-line petition already has 300 hundred signatures in support of the group. Longtime residents of James Island say they're looking to save more than just trees and wetlands.

“Animals live there, that's important to me and to protect the Stony River from pollution,” said Robin Welch.

There are others concerns as well. James Island council man Bill Cubbywilder says no impact studies have been done. Meaning traffic problems could increase with the addition of a Super-Walmart.

“We don't want to lose our trees, fill in our wetlands, we love James Island,” said Cubbywilder.

The group says the trees will not be cut down until permits are approved and the city of Charleston allows Wal-Mart to purchase the wetland property.

The group is holding an awareness meeting on Tuesday March 11th at 6:30 at the Department of Natural Resources auditorium off of Fort Johnson road.

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