Fight against proposed WalMart location in Carrollwood goes to County Zoning Board

CARROLLWOOD, Fla. - As the Monday morning commuters made their way down one of Tampa's most notorious car-strangled stretches this morning, those passing the northwest corner of Floyd and Dale Mabry got an added eyeful of protestors trying to draw attention to a zoning fight over a plan that could create more traffic troubles in Carrollwood.

The plan would turn the corner of the intersection into a WalMart Superstore and Wawa Market location that'll be discussed by the county Zoning board Monday night.

"We're trying to pack the room,"  said Jennifer Fritch.  "And we really need the people to show up in their red shirts and just to show support for us."

"How many folks you hoping to get?" ABC Action News reporter Bill Logan asked.

"Oh, several hundred would be wonderful."

Jennifer says she's already heard from dozens who'll be there to oppose what neighbors say will be a re-zoning that will cause more congestion, more traffic, and a diminished quality of life. 

She and the rest of the hand-full of protestors know that this is sort of like David versus Goliath.

"And I think that's great, it's really what we're doing," she said.  "The people are speaking.  We just cannot have this in our neighborhood."

 When asked if she thought the protests would make a difference, she replied, "It has been done in the past and Carrollwood is very strong...it has been proven in the past and we do have a voice, and the County does seem to listen to us."

The listening is set to begin tonight at 6:00 in the County Center at 601E. Kennedy Blvd in downtown Tampa. 

The Carrollwood Zoning issue is set to come up some time later in the hearing, but opponents are urging their allies to come early to and "pack the room".