Site Fight of the Week: Turlock, CA

Topics: Community Impact

The city of Turlock recently scored another victory for California communities wary of Wal-Mart’s expansion. Thanks to the community’s efforts, Turlock, not Wal-Mart, can decide what’s best for its residents.

From the Los Angeles Times:

The California Supreme Court declined to review an appeals court decision upholding an ordinance in Turlock…

Turlock’s law prohibits stores larger than 100,000 square feet from devoting more than 5% of their floor space to groceries. Wal-Mart sued the city in state and federal court, claiming it colluded with local grocers to restrict competition and failed to comply with environmental review and zoning laws. A federal court in Fresno sided with Turlock on July 3.

The Turlock case is just the latest in a string of cities battling Wal-Mart. San Francisco, Martinez and Oakland have already outlawed the store. In an unprecedented move, the Hercules City Council successfully employed eminent domain to halt Wal-Mart’s construction plans.

The court’s decision will only make it easier for other California cities to stand up for their rights.

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

Rick Jarvis, a lawyer for Turlock, said Wednesday’s state court action allows a city to “make its own land-use plans and decide for itself what’s good for the community.” It will also “make it much more difficult for Wal-Mart to file expensive legal challenges against other jurisdictions that decide to adopt similar ordinances,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chicago and Wal-Mart are in the midst of a living-wage dispute, Wal-Mart is challenging Maryland’s Fair Share law and Arizona is accusing the retailer of pricing violations.

If Turlock’s victory is any indication, soon Wal-Mart will have to respect the rights of cities and states nationwide.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Friday, July 14, 2006