An ordinance designed to help stop a Walmart "Neighborhood Market" from opening in L.A.'s Chinatown neighborhood fell short of the necessary votes at a City Council meeting held yesterday, reports Alice Walton.
The proposed "interim control ordinance," which would have "blocked retailers with standardized merchandise or facades from opening stores larger than 20,000 square feet" in the neighborhood adjacent to downtown Los Angeles was drafted at the request of Councilman Ed Reyes, who represents the Chinatown area and chairs the council's Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Although the ordinance was opposed by the city's Planning Department and Planning Commission, it gained the support of 11 Council members, just one short of the 12 votes needed to pass.
"Labor supporters urged the council to keep Walmart out of the
neighborhood," says Walton, "arguing that the low-wage jobs are harmful to employees.
However, Councilman Bernard Parks, who represents parts of South Los
Angeles, said any job is better than none. He also noted that low-income
areas often lack access to grocery stores".
"'We are being held hostage over philosophical views and,
particularly, this age-old discussion about high benefits, high wages,'
said Parks, adding that more generous companies don't often locate in
working-class communities."
FULL STORY: Ordinance blocking big retailers in Chinatown fails

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont