Wal-Mart’s plans to build a supercenter on Route 41 in Estero, Florida has suffered another delay. According to the Naples News, Lee County staff this week refused to support a development order amendment, telling the developer that the proposed supercenter was inconsistent with the approved zoning of the parcel. “It was pretty clearly inconsistent with the zoning for the site,” one county planner told the newspaper. “Obviously we disagree with the opinion,” a Wal-Mart spokesperson said. “Now we have to look at what our options are.” Wal-Mart could rework its site plan to eliminate big box stores, or it could apply for a rezoning of the property. The third option is to appeal the planning staff’s decision to the hearing examiner. If the examiner agrees with county staff, the developer could go to circuit court, or try to rezone. The decision of staff this week marks the second rejection for Wal-Mart in Estero. Lee County denied the project’s development plan in February. But a final rejection of the plan is not clear. The chair of the Estero Community Planning Panel told the newspaper, “This gives us more opportunity to work with Wal-Mart, gives us more time for this all to be worked out. We’ll just have to wait and see.” Opponents of the Estero Wal-Mart don’t want it all to be worked out. They just Wal-Mart to exit from Estero.
For earlier background on Estero, search this Newsflash page by the town’s name.
