By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DEERFIELD TWP. - Wal-Mart promises low prices, but residents here say a proposed Supercenter store also promises to bring congestion, lower property values and poorer quality of life for the area.

That was the message from the more than 150 residents at a four-hour township zoning commission meeting Monday night. It was the first public meeting in the township where residents questioned Wal-Mart officials and developers about their plan to relocate a smaller store off nearby Fields Ertel Road in Symmes Township.

The commission's discussion on whether to approve the Shoppes of Deerfield development, including the 203,000-square-foot discount store and adjacent retail and restaurants, will continue Jan. 12.

"The reason residents aren't holding Wal-Mart to the same standards as other developments is because we don't want them here," said Michael Marchese, a married father of three who lives close to the site.

Residents for months have fought the proposed development, located between a shopping center anchored by a Kroger store and Rookwood Commons-type development that are under construction.

They are concerned about doubling existing services and the estimated 20 percent traffic increase on one of Warren County's most traveled roadways. Mason-Montgomery Road already carries 44,367 vehicles daily.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com