Planning Board Denies Walmart's Rezoning Request

The City of Miami's Planning and Zoning Board delivered a setback to controversial plans to bring a Walmart to midtown last night by voting 9-0 against an exception to zoning ordinances, according to CBS Miami. The decision was made amid a heated meeting that packed city hall with several local residents and business owners showing up to protest the plans.

Walmart wanted an exception to zoning laws to allow service trucks access to North Miami Avenue south of NE 34th Street. While the big-box store has not submitted its plans for permit approval, the company was hoping to build its cargo bay areas with an entrance on the busy but relatively pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare of North Miami Avenue. Current zoning ordinances would allow entrance only to a cargo bay on a side street.

Of course, while many were concerned about tractor-trailers clogging North Miami Avenue outside the massive 24-hour store, many residents showed up because they don't want the store built at all.

The board indicated it would rather have Walmart submit all of its plans first before possibly granting the exception.

Despite the setback, a Walmart rep tells the Miami Herald that the company still plans to build on the midtown site.

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