L.A. Considering Food Sale Limit at Big-Box Stores
The Los Angeles City Planning Commission is considering an ordinance that would dramatically affect consumers’ shopping choices by limiting the sale of groceries at big-box discount stores such as Wal-Mart and Costco.
The ordinance would prohibit stores with 150,000 square feet of space or more from devoting more than 7.5% of their total square footage to food items.
Although there are currently no big-box stores in Los Angeles that exceed that size and offer food items, ordinance proponents say they want to prevent local supermarkets and corner grocery stores from being forced out of business.
After a two-hour hearing Thursday at the Airtel Hotel in Van Nuys, commissioners voted unanimously to direct planning staff members to review the issue and report back to the panel in January.
Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg, the ordinance’s chief sponsor, said she is not opposed to warehouse-style stores but wants to limit the space they devote to groceries so they won’t swallow up neighborhood food stores. Big-box store owners could receive a variance from the ordinance if they show that they would not threaten smaller stores, she said.
Councilman Mike Hernandez, City Atty. James K. Hahn, organized labor and some of California’s largest supermarkets also support the measure.
The ordinance is opposed by Wal-Mart, Kmart, Costco and commercial developers.
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