Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/124273
Sarasota News Leader April 26, 2013 livery truck traffic at the site. Moreover, she said, "Right now, there isn't a need for another grocery store with a drug store [in that area]. They would be cannibalizing off each other." Page 18 Referring to the "proportionate share" of the road impact expense the company would shoulder, Whalen continued, "That's a very small price for them to pay for mucking up She also argued that Sarasota is "losing a lot our neighborhood pretty badly." of office space to commercial uses." Resident Cindy Grier protested "commercial Sharon Whalen, a homeowner in the Village creep" in the area. "We do not want Bee Ridge Plaza Condominiums located northeast of the to be the next [U.S.] 41," she said, adding, proposed store site, held up a sheath of peti- "We're not exaggerating the danger here" in tions signed by people opposing the project. regard to the traffic. The area has seven full-service grocery stores within two miles of her home, she added. If The few speakers supporting the store spoke the board approved the new Walmart, the traf- of their interest in being able to shop at a wide fic on Bee Ridge and Beneva roads will be "a variety of times and the opportunity to pay lower prices for groceries and drugs. % bigger mess." Commissioner Nora Patterson. Photo by Norman Schimmel