UFCW 324 Communications / News
Long Beach Forbids Big-Box Food Sales
~ Long Beach City Council acts to protect existing grocers, wages, in pre-emptive vote.
September 20, 2006 · Long Beach Press-Telegram
You can buy shampoo and video games at your local Wal-Mart, but you won't find bananas or broccoli there. And the City Council wants to make sure that you never will.
The Council on Tuesday voted 7-2 in favor of an ordinance that bans big retailers, such as Wal-Mart and K-Mart, that also sell groceries.
Councilmen Val Lerch and Gary DeLong voted against the measure, requesting more time to learn about the issue.
I'm not prepared with what I've seen over the past year to do a good vote on this," Lerch said.
He added that the city staff's recommendation to approve the ordinance seemed "one-sided" and said he wanted more studies on it.
DeLong supported Lerch, but Councilman Patrick O'Donnell motioned to vote on the matter immediately. With resounding support for O'Donnell's motion from most of the Council members, the vote took place.
No one spoke on the matter during the public comment period.
The ordinance pertains to so-called "big-box retailers" or "superstores" that measure more than 100,000 square feet and designate 10 percent or more of their floor space to non-taxable goods.
Generally, these products refer to food for humans, such as fruits and vegetables, but exclude alcohol, carbonated beverages, tobacco products, dietary supplements and over-the counter medicine.
The ordinance will take effect 30 days after the Council's second reading, which could take place as early as the October 3rd meeting.
Membership-based club stores that sell products in bulk are exempt from the ordinance.
Currently, the city does not have any superstores, and none have applied for a permit with the city, said Suzanne Frick, director of Planning and Building. "This is a pre-emptive measure," Frick said.
Last October, the Council directed the Planning Commission to look into the matter. Similar ordinances have passed in other large cities, including Los Angeles and Oakland.
A 2003 study on the matter by Rodino Associates, and prepared for the city of Los Angeles found that superstores lower wages and benefits by as much as $8.00 an hour and drive out existing grocery stores.