An attorney representing Wal-Mart Store #1224—the local Creighton Road location—will be requesting next week that the city of Pensacola grant the store permission to sell hard liquor.
In a letter to Pensacola Planning Services Administrator Sherry Morris, the attorney explains that Wal-Mart has renovated its property and it now features a liquor store attached to the main building. But it seems the company has run into zoning issues, as the property abuts—and is partially in—a residential zone, which does not permit liquor sales.
“The renovated store had its grand opening last week, which creates added urgency from Wal-Mart’s perspective,†wrote attorney Menelaos Paplas in the April 6 letter.
The attorney is asking for an exemption to the zoning regulation, as well as a temporary exemption until a permanent one could be granted. In order to exempt the store, the Pensacola City Council must hold two public readings on the proposed ordinance—the first reading will be on April 26, with the second scheduled for May 10.
The exemption Wal-Mart is looking for would allow so-called “large box†stores to sell liquor near a residential zone. Other businesses in Pensacola also enjoy an exemption from this particular regulation. The distance requirements do not apply to the Historic District, the Waterfront Redevelopment District and the South Palafox Business District.
The Pensacola City Council will look into Wal-Mart’s request during its April 23 Committee of the Whole meeting. The board will formally address the matter at its April 26 meeting.