Big Box Proposal Tests Regional Planning In Pennsylvania

Wal-Mart must convince six neighboring communities to approve its plans for a giant supercenter in a rural township.

1 minute read

April 22, 2003, 6:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Wal-Mart wants to build a supercenter and twin strip malls on opposite sides of a highway in Upper Hanover Township, a rural corner of Pennsylvania. Two years ago, all Wal-Mart would have needed was an okay from township officials. But thanks to a new regional plan---adopted after landmark revisions to the state's Municipalities Planning Code---Wal-Mart must persuade not only the township, but five surrounding communities to approve the development.

Thanks to Stacy Mitchell

Thursday, April 17, 2003 in New Rules Project

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