FLORIDA SITE FIGHT: APPEAL AGAINST WAL-MART UPHELD

Appeal Against Wal-Mart Upheld [Tampa Tribune]

ELFERS - Developers of a Wal-Mart Supercenter planned at State Road 54 and Grand Boulevard must go back before the Development Review Committee to resolve dozens of issues, including the location of a traffic light and turning lanes.

After nearly two hours of testimony Tuesday, the Pasco County Commission upheld an appeal by a residents group opposed to the store, sending the retailer’s plans back for more changes.

It is the second time the plans have been remanded to the review committee in what has become nearly a three-year effort to build a 205,000-square-foot store and garden center.

At issue are dozens of discrepancies between the retailer’s site plans and requirements in the land development code. Pasco officials made approval of the site plan contingent on the necessary modifications, but opponents argued those issues should have been resolved at the outset.

Schuyler Ellis of St. Petersburg-based Wal-Mart Alliance for Reform Now and residents of Colonial Heights in Elfers said the retailer is trying to fit too much onto a small site and in a congested area.

Ellis said Wal-Mart should have sought numerous variances rather than amending the site plan, which he said violates the land development code.

“The fact that there are 50 conditions … means the original site plans can’t be in compliance,” Ellis said.

Pasco Development Director Cindy Jolly said most of the issues with the site plan have been addressed. One issue, the spacing of a traffic light, is to be considered at a review committee meeting next month. If the variance is not granted, Wal-Mart must return to the drawing board.

Commissioner Michael Cox suggested that the board uphold the appeal without remanding the project to the Development Review Committee. That would have forced Wal-Mart to resubmit plans and restart the process.

Wal-Mart attorney Glenn Smith objected.

“That’s unfair,” he said, standing and throwing his arms up. “Why would you make us start all over?”

Smith said Wal-Mart is making numerous improvements to Grand Boulevard, and that should be considered.

Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand, who represents Elfers, said she appreciates the plans to improve Grand Boulevard but also wonders whether Wal-Mart is trying to do too much.

Cox maintained his stance, saying Wal-Mart is “taking a size 12 foot and putting it into a size 8 shoe.”

The board, at Commissioner Jack Mariano’s suggestion, remanded the plans to the review committee.