Wal-Mart Big-Boxed Out of SD (San Diego)

[cascadiance]

The San Diego City Council just a while ago ruled to ban big-box retail and grocery store hybrids from setting up shop in city limits.

From Voice of San Diego:
http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2006/11/29/news/01bigbox.txt

Wal-Mart Big-Boxed Out of SD
By EVAN McLAUGHLIN Voice Staff Writer


Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006 | Before a crowd that reached nearly 350 spectators at its apex, a cadre of residents, business owners, environmentalists and lobbyists pitched to the City Council the good and bad of Wal-Mart.

Critics took the time to castigate the world's largest retailer for generating traffic congestion and low-wage jobs while depleting neighborhoods of their mom-and-pop retailers. Supporters of the chain of discount stores called the company's low prices a boon for modest income-earners.

One man even said he owed his very decency to the retail giant.

"If it weren't for Wal-Mart, I'd be standing here naked," said Guy Preuss, a Paradise Hills resident who was clothed in a bargain-priced pair of shorts, a T-shirt and a tan vest. "I buy everything from Wal-Mart."

While Wal-Mart may have been able to provide Preuss with his wardrobe, the world's largest retail chain will be barred from vending such things as fresh fruit just aisles away from Apple iPods and Blackberry handheld communicators in the company's San Diego stores.

The City Council voted to ban controversial big-box, retail-and-grocery store hybrids such as Wal-Mart Supercenters from setting up shop within city limits after a four-hour hearing Tuesday. The ban's supporters cited concerns that allowing the behemoth stores to sell food products in addition to their normal wares creates a demand that congests the surrounding area with excessive traffic.

...

http://www.cafepress.com/chinamart

[cascadiance]

1. Here's the AP story just out now...

From:
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/11/29/ap/business/d8lmhlmo0.txt

San Diego to Ban Wal-Mart Supercenters

By ELLIOT SPAGAT

SAN DIEGO - The City Council here voted late Tuesday to ban certain giant retail stores, dealing a blow to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s potential to expand in the nation's eighth-largest city.

The measure, approved on a 5-3 vote, prohibits stores of more than 90,000 square feet that use 10 percent of space to sell groceries and other merchandise that is not subject to sales tax. It takes aim at Wal-Mart Supercenter stores, which average 185,000 square feet and sell groceries.

Mayor Jerry Sanders will veto the ban if the Council reaffirms it on a second vote, which will likely happen in January, said mayoral spokesman Fred Sainz. The Council can override his veto with five votes.

"What the Council did tonight was social engineering, not good public policy," Sainz said.

Supporters of the ban argued that Wal-Mart puts smaller competitors out of business, pays workers poorly, and contributes to traffic congestion and pollution. Opponents said the mega-retailer provides jobs and low prices and that a ban would limit consumer choice.

"Quite simply, I do not think it is the role of the San Diego City Council to dictate where families should buy their groceries," said Councilman Kevin Faulconer, who opposed the ban.

Councilman Tony Young, who joined the 5-3 majority, countered, "I have a vision for San Diego and that vision is about walkable, livable communities, not big, mega-structures that inhibit people's lives."

Wal-Mart spokesman Kevin McCall said the Bentonville, Ark.-based company may consider a legal challenge or voter referendum if the measure becomes law.

...

[Liberty Belle]

2. K&R - This is great news!

[Omaha Steve]

3. K & R

I wish other cities would wake up!

[progressoid]

4. 75% of Walmart shoppers are Republicans (according to Zogby)

Heard it on BBC Radio.