'Big-Box' Bills Head to Governor

The California Legislature sent two bills concerning “big-box” retailers to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has until Sept. 30 to veto or sign the measures.

The bills would place more of an onus on retailers to pay fees and draft expensive reports during the approval process for new developments.

On Aug. 30, the state Senate approved SB 1523 by a 23–15 vote. The bill would require retailers that propose stores of 100,000 square feet or larger to draft an economic impact report at their own expense.

SB 1818 was approved by the Senate on Aug. 29, on a 24–18 vote. It calls for retailers to pay a community’s legal fees if it prevails in a lawsuit seeking to restrict big-box stores through zoning ordinances or regulations.

Sen. Richard Alarcon (D–San Fernando Valley) is the author of both bills. He also introduced a bill similar to SB 1818 two years ago; that measure was vetoed by Schwarzenegger. Alarcon has been quick to point out that Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., is a large contributor to Schwarzenegger’s election campaigns.

Several municipalities have sought to gain more control over mass-merchant retail developments in order to determine the impacts on traffic and local businesses. —Robert McAllister