FLORIDA SITE FIGHT: GETTING READY TO VOTE

Mary Esther City Council to vote on Wal-Mart Tuesday night [Southwest Florida Daily News]

MARY ESTHER — Where there’s a will, there’s a Wal-Mart — at least the company hopes so.

Wal-Mart representatives are hoping perseverance pays off and they can change the minds of Mary Esther’s elected officials during a meeting Tuesday.

Meanwhile, opponents hope to finish what they started and keep the retail giant out of city limits.

The meeting will be at First Baptist Church of Mary Esther at 6:30 p.m.

An unanimous vote earlier this month by the city’s Local Planning Agency set a grim tone for the store’s chances.

The LPA recommended denying a land use and zoning change the store needs, and that recommendation goes before the City Council tonight.

The City Council — which also serves as the LPA — would have to reverse its previous stance on the matter if it votes to allow the change.

“Three members have to say ‘Yes,’ ” said Pinky Bradley, the city’s community development director.

If that happens, it would set off another round of meetings involving the LPA and council, including technical and site reviews.

If it fails to move forward, Wal-Mart’s only recourse is a court appeal.

“If it fails, we’re probably going to court,” Bradley said. “And that’s kind of a given.”

Calls to Wal-Mart’s public affairs office were not returned Monday.

Wal-Mart is eyeing building on about 10.6 acres at the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and Wright Parkway. The side of the property in Mary Esther is designated residential.

Brenda Hall has been leading the charge against the rezoning and said the strategy going into tonight’s meeting is to pack the seats.

“I don’t know how to say how important it is to turn out,” Hall said.

Hall will present a petition with about 320 signatures opposing the zoning and land use change.

“We’re just real pleased with where we are and where we’re going,” Hall said.