Aldi Representatives Unresponsive to Katy Residents’ Concerns and Questions

Feb. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Katy residents in the Oak Park Trails (OPT) HOA are organizing a “Stop Aldi Now” march and rally from 1-3 p.m., Saturday, February 4 at the planned site of the discount food store which they say will increase crime and traffic in the area. Aldi Food Stores, a global grocery chain, plans to open more than 30¬ stores in the Houston area, beginning with a Katy store on vacant land at the northwest intersection of Oak Park Trails and Mason Road.

“We recently participated in a conference call on January 5 with Aldi representatives from their Dallas office,” said Lisa Balkanli, OPT President, “and we were very disappointed by Aldi’s lack of answers to the questions from our residents. We want Aldi to look elsewhere in Katy away from the neighborhoods, but Aldi seems to be ignoring our concerns and requests. We’re going to let them know we are organized and will be heard!”

Balkanli made it clear during the conference call with Aldi that the opposition by the residents would not go away should Aldi not change its planned location. Aldi responded by confirming that it is yet to close on the property. Rather than seriously listening to
OPT’s concerns, the Aldi representatives turned hostile and sidestepped the questions. Aldi often referred to a traffic study conducted as their source of research, but they were unable to cite the study.

They promised to answer questions about both motor and foot traffic within 30 days. Their response did not provide further details to previous inquiries. In regard to traffic, they relied on a study conducted 13 years ago. A lot has changed in Katy in 13 years. OPT does not feel like this study paints an accurate portrait of the area presently.

OPT residents are asking for your support, click here to view and sign their online petition. To view video coverage from the rally earlier this month, click here.