BIG-BOX REGULATION PASSED IN BEAUFORT, SC

Beaufort preliminarily passes big-box regulation [Beaufort Gazette (S.C.)]

Stores that comprise 70,000 square feet or more would not be allowed in Beaufort except on two major highways under an ordinance preliminarily approved by the City Council on Tuesday.

The ordinance, approved 5-0, would confine large retailers to S.C. 170 and S.C. 280. It would also prevent large retailers from occupying marshfront or waterfront property and require a 50-foot setback from all streets.

The ordinance must be approved once more by the council to take effect. The council meets again July 15.

The regulation passed with little discussion. Proponents argue that S.C. 170 and S.C. 280 are the best places for so-called “big-box” stores because they have the infrastructure—particularly roads. S.C. 170 and S.C. 280 can handle large amounts of traffic while providing safe entrances and exits for parking lots, Mayor Bill Rauch said.

Evan Thompson, executive director of Historic Beaufort Foundation, suggested the ordinance should also limit the size of those stores. A Wal-Mart proposed for Lady’s Island earlier this year, which was rejected by the city’s planning department, would have comprised 195,000 square feet. The existing Wal-Mart is 215,000 square feet.

Councilman George O’Kelley agreed a size limit should be included to prevent traffic and aesthetic issues, though other council members said they saw no need for a size limit.

“Who knew 20 years ago that we’d be where we are now in terms of size across the city,” O’Kelley said. “I could conceive of a mega-giant store on 170 (in the future).”

A possible size limit will be discussed July 15.

Thompson said the council also should consider capping a retailer’s footprint rather than its entire space to encourage stores to build vertically and foster “smart growth.”

Rauch suggested Monday that the city should also ban chain retail stores and chain restaurants of all sizes downtown. Though the potential regulation was not on the council’s Tuesday agenda, several residents spoke against such an ordinance.

“Have you ever seen a shopping center that had an anchor store that brings people to the shopping center, and the other businesses thrive because of the anchor?” Fred Trask, who owns several Beaufort properties, asked rhetorically. “It’s the mob, the hypocritical elitists who just want to look at pretty things, who don’t care about people having to spend (extra) gas to go to (a chain store).”

O’Kelley agreed chain stores and restaurants should be permitted downtown, noting that downtown Beaufort’s history includes numerous chain stores. He added that a ban on chains would invite discrimination lawsuits.

Deanna Bowdish, owner of The Gallery on Bay Street, argued in favor of a ban on chain stores, saying the uniqueness of Beaufort’s downtown attracts tourists and shoppers.

The council has no immediate plans to consider an ordinance that would prohibit chain businesses downtown.

Posted by Joel Nezianya on Wednesday, June 25, 2008

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