In a nod to small retailers, Los Angeles will make it much harder for 'big box' stores to expand.
"Proponents say it may become a national model for handling skirmishes over so-called 'big box' stores moving into economically fragile communities... The ordinance, voted on Wednesday, says simply that developers of superstores (those over 100,000 square feet) must do cost/benefit analyses to assess their economic impacts. Beyond the current practice of "conditional use" permits - which hinge on parking, land, and pollution impacts - applicants would have to assess a new list of controversial concerns, using approved but independent consultants."
Wal-Mart counters that it will have no problem producing economic studies that confirm that Wal-Mart brings positive economic benefits to the surrounding communities.
Thanks to Laura Kranz
FULL STORY: A new twist in the Wal-Mart wars

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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