2002-09-25
Martinez, CA. Zoning Code Caps Size of Food Sales inside Wal-Mart Superstore

Our correspondents in Martinez, California report that on September 18, 2002, the City council adopted the first Neighborhood Business Preservation Ordinance (Big Box) that restricts the sale on non-taxable items to 5% of the floor space in stores 90,000 sq.ft.and larger. Martinez has a 125,000 sq. ft. Wal-Mart that could be expanded into a 150-200,000 sq.ft. supercenter. Wal-Mart supercenter formats include 55,000 sq.ft. of retail groceries and meat in addition to general merchandise. The ordinance was backed by labor unions including the United Food & Commercial Workers Union, Local 1179 (Martinez) and community preservationists. Wal-Mart has threatened the City with a referendum to try and rescind this ordinance, which is similar to other ordinances in other California towns, and related to a law that was passed by the state General Assembly, but vetoed by Governor Grey Davis.

What you can do: For more information on the Martinez vote, contact info@sprawl-busters.com. Search this database by "Grey Davis" to find the story about the vetoed state law limited the sale of non-taxable items in big box formats.