 e-Mail this page to a Friend!
Supercenter Size Cap - San Diego, California
In June 2007, the San Diego City Council voted 5-3 to adopt an ordinance that prohibits stores over 90,000 square feet that devote more than 10 percent of their floor area to groceries. The mayor has vowed to veto the measure, but the 5 City Council members who voted in favor are enough to override his veto.
The ordinance bars Wal-Mart and Target supercenters, which feature full grocery departments. It does not affect stores that do not carry groceries, such as Home Depot. It also explicitly excludes warehouse stores that sell items in bulk, such as Costco.
Several cities in California and Arizona have adopted similar ordinances in recent years.
Although supercenters do have some unique impacts that distinguish them from other large-format retail stores, the New Rules Project favors setting a limit on the size of all retail stores. From a policy standpoint, all types of big-box retailers have significant impacts on the local economy, the vitality of neighborhood and downtown business districts, the environment, and community life. (See How Big is Too Big and our Store Size Cap Policy Kit.) From a political standpoint, land use regulations that set consistent limits on the scale of retail development are likely to garner broader support, especially from local business owners, and are not vulnerable to arguments that they unfairly target particular companies.
More:
|
