Wal-Mart won't accept agency's 'no' to store

By Times Staff Writer
Published June 28, 2005

---

ST. PETERSBURG - Brighton Bay residents must gear up for another battle if they want to block the construction of a Wal-Mart supercenter in their northeast neighborhood.

The owners of the vacant 27-acre tract on Gandy Boulevard have appealed the ruling of the Environmental Development Commission, which voted 5-2 earlier this month to reject Wal-Mart's site plan.

Now the debate will shift to the City Council, which has 60 days to hold a public hearing. The EDC's rejection means it will take a supermajority of the council - six of eight members - to overturn the ruling.

Hundreds of neighborhood residents turned out for the EDC hearing to protest the store. But Wal-Mart officials remained optimistic they would prevail on appeal.

"We need to move forward and get this in front of the City Council," said Eric Brewer, Wal-Mart's community affairs manager. "I don't think emotion will play a part - this is a decision based on what the law is."

The 150,000-square-foot supercenter would include a grocery store, garden center and a separate liquor store. Residents say the store would destroy natural wetlands and bring too much traffic to an already congested area.

"I feel strongly the EDC made the correct decision in this case," said David Bacon, an attorney for the neighborhood. "We will be fully prepared for an appeal."