By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

MILFORD - Hundreds of Milford residents - many wearing stickers urging officials to say "No!" - packed a planning commission hearing Wednesday to discuss a zoning request that could lead to the development of a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

The Arkansas-based retailer contends its 203,000-square-foot store would help to increase this Clermont County city's tax base and improve traffic flow along Ohio 28.

Matt Grever, vice president of development for Anchor Properties, the developer, told planning officials Milford would see an annual increase of $175,000 in real estate taxes because of the store.

"Wal-Mart will be critical to keeping customers and residents in this area. The real competition for the quaint nature of old Milford's shopping district are other similar districts, such as the one in Mariemont," Grever said.

David Oakes, the civil engineer for the project, said Wal-Mart is willing to pay for the widening of Ohio 28 in front of the proposed store as well as traffic lights in that area.

If approved, the plan would displace residents of more than 80 mobile homes that make up Theilman's Mobile Home Park.

Stanley Goodman, an attorney representing the owners of the mobile home park, said the park is "no longer viable" and that "its time has come."

Bob Mathis, 84, a World War II veteran who has called the park home for more than 15 years, said Wednesday that he had planned to live there until his death.

"Everything we know is right here. I don't know where we'll go if we have to move."

The planning commission made no decision Wednesday. Another public hearing will take place possibly next month, officials said.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com