Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/124273
Sarasota News Leader April 26, 2013 The company had hoped to demolish the Ringling Shopping Center two blocks east of the historic downtown courthouse and build a 98,000-square-foot store at the former Publix site. The suit by the site's owners seeks to overturn the City Commission's 3-2 vote to deny a site plan offered by Walmart. In other words, if the Doyle Family Trust prevails, that would allow only for the construction of the supercenter proposed initially by Walmart. Page 9 site plan. But the nearby Alta Vista Neighborhood Association paid a $1,597 fee to appeal the decision to the City Commission. The neighborhood nearest the proposed store site — Terrace Gardens — took no stand on the issue. The appeal to the City Commission required two separate votes. The first necessitated that a supermajority of commissioners agree to hear the appeal. After a tense public hearing on Jan. 7, the neighborhood appeal cleared that hurdle thanks to a 4-1 vote, with CommisAt press time, it was unclear whether the sioner Paul Caragiulo in the minority. agreement between the Doyle Family Trust and the retailer to purchase the property re- The actual appeal before the City Commission mains in effect. It is also unclear if the trust required two evenings of evidence, testimony is acting on behalf of Walmart or acting on its and analysis — more than eight hours of information. On Feb. 26, the city commissionown. ers voted 3-2 to deny Walmart's site plan, with Both the city planning staff and the Planning Commissioners Caragiulo and Suzanne Atwell Board recommended approval of the Walmart in the minority. A new Walmart Neighborhood Market opened on North Tamiami Trail in September 2012. Photo by Norman Schimmel