CALIFORNIA SITE FIGHT: CITY COUNCIL TO DECIDE FATE OF SUPER STORES

City Council To Decide Fate Of Super Stores [10 News San Diego]

SAN DIEGO—The city council will consider Monday final passage of an ordinance that would prohibit the construction of so-called big-box retail stores within city limits.

The measure to limit construction of superstores such as those that Wal-Mart has been trying to erect was approved 5-3 by the city council in November last year, but the second reading was delayed so that more public input could be generated.

The law will ban the building of establishments that are larger than 90,000 square feet and generate more than 10 percent of revenue from non-taxable goods, like groceries.

Mayor Jerry Sanders has threatened to veto the measure because of what he considers to be its anti-business nature. Councilmen Jim Madaffer, Brian Maienschein and Kevin Falconer also voted against the proposed restriction.

Council President Scott Peters said last week he expected the mayor to stick to his veto threat, but if the members of the council maintain their positions, the five who support the law are enough to override him.

Sanders will have 10 days to veto the measure, and the city council will have a month to override his veto, Peters said.

Posted by Jason Korta on Monday, June 04, 2007

Click Here for a Printer-Friendly Version