Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/124273
WALMART WINS COUNTY'S OK The River's Edge Community Church is visible through stately oaks on the property. Photo by Robert Hackney IN SPITE OF RESIDENTS' PROTESTS ABOUT ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC, A NEW WALMART WILL BE COMING TO THE BENEVA/BEE RIDGE INTERSECTION By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor After almost three hours of comments during an April 24 public hearing— with all but four of 22 speakers in opposition to the request — the Sarasota County Commission approved an amendment to the county's comprehensive plan and the rezoning of 4.033 acres to allow a Walmart Neighborhood Market to be built on the southwest corner of Bee Ridge and Beneva roads. minority on the two votes, voicing concerns — as most of the speakers had — about the additional traffic the Walmart would bring to that intersection. She also expressed disdain for action of the Florida Legislature in 2011 that allows a developer to pay a "proportionate share" of the cost for needed road improvements as a result of a new project, instead of a higher expense through impact I travel that road all the time, and fees. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven it really does have a lot of traffic. days a week. Commissioner Nora Patterson was in the Nora Patterson Commissioner Sarasota County In the case of the Walmart, according to testimony from Paula Wiggins, the county's