By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MILFORD - After months of delays, residents and business owners are expected to pack a public hearing tonight to voice their concerns about a requested zoning change that, if approved, could pave the way for a new Wal-Mart Supercenter here.

It will be the first of at least two meetings Milford zoning officials expect to hold before deciding. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Milford Community Firefighters' Meeting Hall, 1005 Lila Ave., at the east end of the Milford Shopping Center.

Wal-Mart wants to build a 203,000-square-foot store on 37 acres along Ohio 28, where there is now a mobile home park.

Besides the supercenter, the proposal includes a gas station, a 30,000-square-foot retail building and a restaurant.

If approved, the plan would displace residents of more than 80 mobile homes at Theilman's Mobile Home Park, about a west of from Interstate 275.

Residents and small business owners say this is unacceptable, particularly when there is room for the development along Milford Parkway.

"When does it come down to people in the community?" asked Karen Huff. "Buildings are more important than people - money is more important than people."

A manager at The Lavender Stick Florist in Milford's historic shopping district, Huff is a member of a grass roots residents group fighting the proposed development.

For months, opponents of the plan have worried that such a store would worsen traffic problems along Ohio 28 and present unfair competition for small business owners along Main Street, Milford's historic downtown business strip.

Wal-Mart officials, however, downplay these concerns, saying the supercenter is something desired by a "silent majority" in Milford.

"We believe there is a need for such a store here," said Caroline Bisio, real estate manager for Wal-Mart's stores in Illinois, Indiana and Southwest Ohio. "Milford is so unique and it offers unique stores. Wal-Mart won't compete with these stores."

Wal-Mart officials have also said they will work with developers to provide a relocation package for the mobile home residents.

But for Irene Elrod, a two-year resident of Theilman's, no amount of money can wipe away her bad feelings.

"Milford has no other mobile home parks. I'd have to go further into Miami Township or Goshen Township," she said. "Personally, I think we are being discriminated against."

Last week, residents of Theilman's received letters from the park's management saying it is likely they will be asked to begin relocating after April. It also says residents may be eligible for a $1,500 relocation package.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com