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Sarasota News Leader December 7, 2012 PERCOLATING FOR TRUTH Page 15 view Committee level. Trees were evaluated; drainage plumbed; traffic considered. But no What happened between the 3-2 vote and the one cited the zoning code text about depart26-1 vote was more thinking about Ahearnment stores not being allowed in the CSC-N Koch's statement: "For me it's a department zone. store, and that is not allowed." People pored over the zoning code. Was not a 98,000-square- With the appeal, the city's zoning staff is now foot Walmart bigger than the 15,000-square- legally muzzled and cannot explain why or foot department store allowed in the CSC-N how its decisions were reached. To further zoning? Hmmm. complicate matters, the Planning DepartWas Walmart "grandfathered" in the property? ment's action officer on the Walmart case Current rules say a new use allows the dem- — Courtney Mendez — will be on maternity olition of 75 percent of the old property to leave in January. qualify under the existing zoning of a site. But In the meantime, the neighborhood is raising Walmart wants to demolish 100 percent of the money through a website: https://fundrazr. old Ringling Shopping Center. Hmmm. com/campaigns/1OkX8 Even more troublesome was the ease with which Walmart breezed through the develop- Full disclosure: Stan Zimmerman is a memment review process. Twice its application ber of the Alta Vista Neighborhood Associawas reviewed by senior representatives of all tion and a past president of it. He cast the the city's departments at the Development Re- sole vote against the appeal. % For The Best Reading Experience Get Sarasota News Leader On Your Tablet •Rich, Interactive Media •Share Stories With Friends •Text-only Reading Feature •Portable - Ready Anywhere SarasotaNewsLeader.com/webapp