Previously, company officials have said such a decision would not kill the project outright.
By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published April 27, 2004
For the second time in recent months, the Diocese of St. Petersburg has opted not to sell the 80-foot strip of land sought by Wal-Mart officials for a proposed superstore south of Crystal River.
The land forms the northern border of St. Benedict Catholic Church's property.
Wal-Mart wants the strip to build an access road to its planned development at U.S. 19 and Ozello Trail and had offered the diocese $120,000 for the land.
For now, the diocese isn't interested, diocese spokeswoman Mary Jo Murphy said Monday. She would not say who had made the decision, when it was made or if it was subject to change. "The Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg has decided not to sell the property at this time," she said.
Whether the decision will stick is hard to predict. Since word of the offer became public last summer, the diocese, church and parishioners' opinion of its merits have flip-flopped more than once.
In October, Bishop Robert Lynch announced he would not sell the land, adhering to the wishes of more than 500 St. Benedict parishioners who signed a petition opposing the sale.
Wal-Mart tried again. Company officials met with diocese officials, hoping to sway them with promises of free sewer and water hookups for St. Benedict and a 40-foot natural buffer between the church and the access road.
In January, Wal-Mart was met with mixed reactions when officials presented their plans to hundreds of parishioners in the church's hall.
By February, the church's pastoral council had shifted its position. Members figured development was inevitable, so they might as well support a conscientious neighbor.
But the Rev. Vincent Morton, St. Benedict's pastor, decided in March to recommend the diocese forgo the sale. He argued big business should not be allowed to bully the church or make them believe such development would improve the area.
The final decision remained with the diocese, which owns the church property.
Wal-Mart officials could not be reached for comment Monday. The corporation must build the access road to meet the county's access management plan, which was created to improve the flow of traffic along U.S. 19.
Previously, Wal-Mart representatives have said a decision by the diocese not to sell the land might force the corporation to create a new site plan but would not kill the project outright.
The 80-foot strip is just one of the negotiation points on Wal-Mart's agenda. Wal-Mart still is waiting to find out whether it will work with county or Crystal River officials to build the proposed supercenter, as the site is part of 500 acres the City Council might annex.
The council was scheduled to discuss the annexation plan Monday night.
