Court Upholds Blocking of Wal-Mart Store

A federal appeals court has ruled that the city of Turlock’s ordinance barring big-box retailer Wal-Mart doesn’t infringe on the company’s constitutional rights.

The ruling is the third time the courts have sided with the city against Arkansas-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

“I’m extremely pleased and feel extremely vindicated,” Turlock Mayor Curt Andre said Monday.

Wal-Mart sued Turlock soon after the City Council passed an ordinance in 2004 barring a 225,000-square-foot super center.

The council said the operation would lead to traffic and environmental damage.

Wal-Mart lost in Stanislaus County Superior Court in 2004 and appealed the case to the 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno, which ruled against the corporation in April.

A federal court in Fresno echoed the other courts’ rulings.