By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DEERFIELD TWP. - Despite a crowd of residents wearing red "Deny" badges, the township's zoning commission gave the go-ahead to a preliminary site plan for a Wal-Mart Supercenter.

But Monday night's unanimous approval was far from an all-out win for the discount retailer. Along with the commission's ruling came 44 conditions that could force developers to rearrange the layout and possibly reduce parking spaces or even the store's size.

The preliminary site plan, now goes to township trustees. The zoning commission is also asking that the final site plan, get their approval before the trustees ultimately decide whether the project will be approved.

Developers have agreed to some of the township's conditions, but have raised objections with the most recent modifications.

"Our plan was looked at by engineers," said project engineer David Oakes of Dayton-based CESO Engineers and Surveyors. "The modified plan suggested by zoning commission has not been looked at by experts. Rather than just say 'is it possible,' we'd rather go the good planning route."

Residents for months have rallied against the Shoppes of Deerfield, which is to be anchored by a 203,000-square-foot Supercenter between a Rookwood Commons-type center and Kroger development on Mason-Montgomery Road.

They argued the retail store and out-lots will cause congestion along major roads and in subdivisions, add to storm water runoff and reduce the quality of life for this Warren County community.

"We still believe it should be denied," township resident Kate Olsen said. "It's too much retail for Mason-Montgomery Road. But this (ruling) means they'll be another full round of meetings where it can still be denied, so there's hope."

Developers have argued the zoning is in place for such a development. Earlier this month, the township zoning commission agreed on the 44 conditions that were tacked onto the plans, adding more green space and asking for a market study to see if the region can handle more retail.

Deerfield Township trustees will meet this week and decide when they will hear the Wal-Mart case.

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E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com