Anchorage Weakens Big Box Zoning Proposal

"Faced with a wave of proposed Wal-Marts, Fred Meyers and other large retailers, the Anchorage Assembly is trying to adopt an ordinance that will make so-called big box stores more attractive." The city weakened the proposal in an effort to balance residents' desire to limit huge stores with developers' interest in building them. "Under the proposed ordinance, new big box stores would still have to have varied roof lines and walls, tasteful colors and parking lots safer for pedestrians. But it weakened sign restrictions, and the public wouldn't have a chance to comment on individual new big box stores before they are built."