Walmart, Wawa Zoning Change Denied by Commissioners

A controversial rezoning plan that would bring a new Walmart neighborhood market to the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Floyd Road in Carrollwood has been denied by Hillsborough County Commissioners.

The vote came just before 11 a.m. at this morning's Land Use Hearing. Commissioners voted 6-0 to deny the rezoning request, with one commissioner not in attendance.

The anti-Walmart group 813CARe has been vocal opponents of the rezoning for the past 10 months. Group members spoke during the public comment period at Tuesday's meeting.

"It will change the character of Carrollwood," said Leah Wooten, 813CARe organizer, who added that 3,000 opposition letters have been submitted to the commissioners.

Jim Porter, an attorney for Walmart, emphasized that the plan had already been recommended for approval by the county's planning commission months ago and met county land use standards.

"This is not a popularity contest," Porter said. "Taking a step back, we’re asking a modifying to add a grocery store on Dale Mabry and a Wawa convenience store."

The proposal called for a development on a 10-acre space at the northwest corner of Floyd Road and North Dale Mabry Highway. It would consist of an approximately 48,000-square-foot Walmart neighborhood grocery store and a 6,000-square-foot Wawa convenience store with gas pumps.

Each commissioner spoke after testimony from both sides in the case. Each expressed concerns about what the development would do to the community appearance and character. In the end, Commissioner Kevin Beckner made a motion to deny the request, citing non-compliance with the comprehensive plan and future land use development.

"Never seen a community so organized in opposition of a development," said Commissioner Ken Hagan, a Carrollwood resident.

Commissioner Victor Crist said the community's opposition played heavily into his decision.

"I believe it does not conform with all the surrounding elements, and I’ll be voting against the request," Crist said about the proposed Walmart rezoning.

Stay tuned to Patch for details on the board's final vote on this issue.

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