49 signed up to speak at Walmart appeal hearing

Thus far 49 people have signed up to speak at the Walmart appeal hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 26, and other residents have inquired about speaking at the public hearing.

“We have had others ask if other people can sign up (at the meeting) to speak,” said Deputy City Auditor and Clerk Karen McGowan. Residents can sign up to speak Tuesday at the meeting, McGowan said.

Typically residents have five minutes maximum to speak at appeals. As a result, the public comment session of the meeting would run more than four hours.

Commissioners could decide to limit the individual speaking time to less than five minutes.

During the first round of the appeal Tuesday, Feb. 19, Wal-mart Stores Inc. representatives sought support for their 98,000-square-foot supercenter planned for Ringling Boulevard, while opponents argued the project was not allowed in the city’s zoning code.