Playing by the Rules

    This month the Central City Council will consider whether to allow Walmart to build a “Neighborhood Market” grocery store on Hooper Road just west of McDonald’s, and the Council’s decision will likely be unpopular with some residents whether it is approved or denied.  I have no strong preference as to whether a fourth grocery store is built in Central, but I have a saying: Tell me your rules, then let everyone play by them.
    As background, the city staff’s opinion is that the business is consistent with the Master Plan and appropriate for the B-5 “Large Scale Commercial” zoning of the property.  The staff recommends approval of the project.  Central’s Planning & Zoning Commission met last month and by a 4-3 vote recommended that the Council deny the zoning application.  The ultimate decision, however, rests with the City Council.
    I know there are traffic and infrastructure considerations in zoning, but for me, it comes down to the rules.  One of the very first ordinances passed by Central’s City Council made it all but impossible to operate a bar with exotic dancers.  Central’s elected officials in effect made that a rule.  However, we have no rule against grocery stores, and I for one am hesitant for any government to restrict the free market.  But, this issue may not be that simple.
    Now factor in location.  Central has zoning laws that keep certain businesses out of certain areas, and that is accomplished in the rules for those zoning districts.  That means even though grocery stores are allowed, you can’t build one in the middle of a subdivision.  The question for the Council will be whether “Large Scale Commercial” is an appropriate place for a grocery store.
    Central has a Master Plan, and this B5 zone is already established. It is a rule.  Perhaps this case will cause some to have second thoughts about having zoned this area B5.  That rule can be changed, but until then, and certainly for this case, we have to live with the rule we made.
    Finally, there are exceptions to every rule.  If grocery stores are allowed and if the rules say they can be built in a B5 zone, it is still possible that the welfare and safety of the public could be a legitimate reason for denying this zoning.  Perhaps the resulting traffic would be unsafe, or the drainage or sewerage could not handle the project.  Those public safety concerns are written into our rules as well.
    In the end, the Council’s job is to look at our rules, (the ones in place, not the ones we wish we had), and make a fair and unbiased decision based on sound zoning practices.  If that is done, and shopping preferences or personal likes or dislikes for any brand or company do not enter into the decision, that would be Good News for a Great City.