“We are currently in a due-diligence phase, which is securing, or getting a high level of confidence that we can secure permits and approvals to operate a Cabela’s store in a specific jurisdiction,” Arterburn said in an email.
Additionally, Gary Rimington, real estate manager for Cabela’s, attended a West Chester Zoning Commission meeting Monday night and answered questions.
Proposals are to build a 75,143-square-foot Cabela’s at 7536 Liberty Way, representing an investment of $22 million to $30 million. The location could create between 150 and 220 jobs. It’s anticipated the retailer would attract visitors from a 120-mile radius, Rimington said.
This newspaper learned in June that Cabela's was eyeing a West Chester Twp. location when an area developer submitted project plans for a new retail development anchored by the big-name store. The same plans called for additional retail and restaurant space to be built between Tylers Place Boulevard and Interstate 75.
Developer Great Traditions Land & Development Co. of Sharonville also plans to build a 40,000-square-foot general office building and three 6,000-square-foot high-turnover, sit-down restaurants on the total 18-acre site.
At Monday’s meeting, Great Traditions gained preliminary approval for the project from the township Zoning Commission.
Following a nearly three-hour discussion on the proposed specialty store selling hunting, fishing, camping and shooting gear, the zoning commission approved with a 3-2 vote the preliminary development plan.
But that preliminary approval is dependent on several items that will be required in the final development plan, said Bryan Behrmann, township planner, including recommendations from a traffic impact study by the Butler County Engineer’s Office.
The final development plan is up for a vote Aug. 18 by the zoning commission.
Prior to Monday’s vote, commission members expressed being “torn” due to not having results from the traffic impact study. Jim Williams and Jim Hahn, the commission’s chairman and vice chairman respectively, were the two votes against approval of the plan.
The Butler County Engineer’s Office is currently conducting a traffic impact study using peak traffic patterns on weekdays and weekends at the Cabela’s store in Louisville, Ky. The results are expected in early August and could include intersection alternatives for Preserve Place and Tylers Place Boulevard.
About 2,300 to 2,800 cars per day come through the Louisville location, according to Great Traditions.
The proposed traffic pattern for the West Chester site includes two access points off Tylers Place Boulevard and a right-in/right-out entrance off Liberty Way, Behrmann said.
One of those access points is directly across from the entrance to housing subdivision The Preserve at Wetherington, where a four-way stop is proposed.
More than 10 residents made public comments Monday on the Cabela’s development.
Residents of The Preserve, as well as legal representation they hired, spoke against the proposed traffic plan for the site. But the group was clear in stating it’s not against the Cabela’s development itself.
“There’s no question about Cabela’s and Great Traditions, but we see the elephant in the room as the intersection of Tylers Place and Preserve,” said Kevin Cox, president of the homeowners association at The Preserve. “We have a right to the serenity of our streets.”
Attorney Tim Mara said Cabela’s locations are known to generate more traffic than the average development or big-box store.
“Cabela’s has an enthusiastic following that routinely beats a path to their door,” Mara said. “The residents of Preserves will be competing with traffic coming to and from Cabela’s. These people are in for one heck of a tough road and a dangerous road.”
Other residents expressed safety concerns with the nearby Lakota schools and bus stops, as well as the fear their neighborhood will become an “overflow parking lot” for Cabela’s.
“Taking a left out of our neighborhood as it’s projected is a pretty scary thing; I’m sure it can be done right … but on paper the way it looks is disheartening,” said Tim Marklay of Preserve Place.
This would be the second Cabela’s location in Ohio for the specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping, shooting and related outdoor recreation merchandise. A Columbus location opened in March 2013.
“It’s very high-end, upscale flavor from the exterior,” said Thomas Humes, president and chief executive officer of Great Traditions. “We’re right at the line between Liberty Twp. and West Chester and this is really the gateway to West Chester as you’re coming to the south.”
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