More than 100 area residents turned out for a special Wal-Mart open house at Lehigh Carbon Community College on Wednesday that was intended to inform the public of the retailer’s plans to build a ”supercenter” in Schnecksville.

Both proponents and opponents attended the session to learn more about Wal-Mart’s plans to build a 176,846-square-foot store on part of 40 acres along Route 309 at Levans Road. The plans are under review by the North Whitehall Planning Commission.

Wal-Mart officials set up several stations containing sketch plans of the site, official engineering plans, a continuous looping video and a presentation touting the company’s achievements and charitable efforts.

James Davis, Wal-Mart’s senior manager of public affairs, said such public presentations are not regularly offered but the company felt it was necessary for North Whitehall, where there has been little in the way of large-scale commercial growth.

”I need to hear what their legitimate concerns are,” Davis said. ”We just hope the people who are undecided, they can make an informed decision.”

Full Story: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b7_5walmart.6063532sep27,0,4388639.story