Avoiding Big-box Nightmares In Older Urban Neighborhoods

"Two years ago, Brookside was abuzz with rumors of national retailers coming to the quaint Kansas City neighborhood. Might such a store -- especially one of those so-called big box retailers -- destroy the character of Brookside?"Kansas City Council member Jim Rowland set about to thwart that possibility."By 2001, the council had approved new zoning regulations for Brookside that set limits on new retailers. Big-box stores would be too big, under the ordinance. Minimum parking? That concept was tossed out. Instead, the council set maximum limits that ensured no giant parking lots for a suburban-type store."