Beacon Woods makes no bones about its view of a supercenter in a meeting with state and county leaders, as Wal-Mart attorneys listen in.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published September 25, 2003
BAYONET POINT - More traffic. Low-paying jobs. A possible rise in crime and drop in property values.
Name a concern about a Wal-Mart supercenter moving in next door, and the Beacon Woods residents raised it Wednesday night at a meeting with county and state officials.
The retail giant has not yet filed plans with Pasco County officials, but its intentions are well known: to build a supercenter at the empty Bayonet Point mall site on U.S. 19 near Beacon Woods Drive. And residents wanted to make sure their objections are on the record early.
"We here in Beacon Woods do not want Wal-Mart as a neighbor at Bayonet Point," said Ray Watson, president of the Beacon Woods Civic Association, as the capacity crowd at the Beacon Woods Civic Association erupted into applause. "This is our county, our community and our welfare. We should have a say in this issue."
The four county commissioners on hand - Peter Altman, Ann Hildebrand, Ted Schrader and Steve Simon - said residents would be heard at future public hearings on Wal-Mart's plans. (Commissioner Pat Mulieri had a scheduling conflict.) But the commissioners said they couldn't comment on Wal-Mart's plans until they see the specifics and hear from both sides.
Simon tried to assure the 500-plus audience, however: "There is nothing anybody here wants to do to hurt you. They only want to make good for you."
Wal-Mart officials declined to present their plans Wednesday evening but had several attorneys on hand to listen to residents' comments.
Several residents urged commissioners to pass an ordinance that would require developers to pay for additional traffic the business would pour onto U.S. 19. Commissioner Altman, who proposed the ordinance, reiterated his support for it.
"We are going to make everyone responsible from this point forward for the traffic and the impact it's going to have on the community," Altman said.
Residents focused on the traffic concern. They don't want Wal-Mart shoppers cutting through their neighborhood streets. Nor do they want Wal-Mart to build a bridge over Bear Creek to link to Beacon Woods Drive, the entrance to the community from U.S. 19.
Others questioned the need for another Wal-Mart when a supercenter exists just 4.1 miles south at U.S. 19 and Ridge Road.
"I have nothing against Wal-Mart personally," said resident Jim Bleidl. "One here and there in appropriate areas is sufficient, but this is getting out of line."
State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, told the audience he opposed a Wal-Mart at that site because of the traffic impact.
State Rep. Heather Fiorentino, R-New Port Richey, also listened to residents' concerns.
Julia Schwendinger told her fellow residents the most important thing was to stay involved in the process.
"A Wal-Mart at Bayonet Point is not a done deal," she said. "It does not have to be if we put up a fight on our own turf."
- Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is bhall@sptimes.com
