The New Milford Planning Commission has voted 3 to 2 in favor of a controversial zone change.  The two properties off Route 7 near Pickett District Road total just under 40 acres.  The land is currently zoned as Restricted Industrial, but the Planning Commission Thursday night voted to make it Industrial Zoned. 

The controversy is that the plans for this property haven't been made public.  There's been speculation that the move is being made to allow for a Super Walmart to open. 

Mayor David Gronbach said in a statement about the Planning Commission vote that approving a change without knowing the ultimate use is the opposite of planning.  The New Milford Zoning Commission next takes up the issue.  The Zoning Commission meeting Tuesday is at 7pm at New Milford Town Hall.

Gronbach says if corporate offices or an outlet mall are proposed for the property, he would be behind that decision.  He cautioned that if Walmart were to close it's current location, other smaller stores in that plaza could be affected.  But he noted that 600,000 feet of new retail space doesn't make sense when there are open store fronts.