The LA City Council passed an ordinance on Wednesday that directs developers of superstores (those over 100,000 square feet) to assess their economic impacts guided by a new list of concerns beyond the current ?conditional use? permitting procedure and using approved but independent consultants. Included on the list are impacts such as potential business displacement, impact on city revenues, and impact on the job market. The new requirements, according to one council member, are an attempt to encourage straightforward discussion and more formal approval process with residents? input.
See "A new twist in the Wal-Mart wars", Daniel B. Wood, The Christian Science Monitor, August 11, 2004