Resolution Supporting a Conditional Use Permit for Big Box Retail
WHEREAS, Austin is experiencing the rapid spread of large national retail chains, commonly called "big box" stores or supercenters; and
WHEREAS, These 24-hour stores, which can exceed 200,000 square feet, and require over 20 acres of paved parking, have massive impacts on area workers, neighborhoods and our local economy; and
WHEREAS, The city's Land Development Code currently allows big box supercenters on any land zoned for General Retail or Commercial Use, regardless of size or impact to the community; and
WHEREAS, Despite huge profits, many big box chains do not provide sufficient wages and benefits for the majority of their employees to live without public assistance; and
WHEREAS, Local governments must subsidize health care, housing and other services for underpaid employees of these highly profitable corporations, while shouldering increased costs for public safety, infrastructure, roadways and environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, Many local businesses often close under intense pressure from "predatory pricing" tactics used by some big box chains; these closures have a ripple effect on other area businesses and suppliers, further weakening the economy and removing local business leaders from the community; and
WHEREAS, The addition of ever-larger retail outlets does not increase the city's tax base, but simply shifts tax revenues from existing stores; and
WHEREAS, The City of Austin must have the means to fully evaluate the net costs and benefits of such massive projects and to withhold approval of a project if the net costs to our community are found to be too great; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the undersigned organizations and individuals call on the Austin City Council to establish the requirement for a Conditional Use Permit for all proposed large-scale retail developments that will include an impact analysis demonstrating the net costs and benefits to the community. The impact analysis will be paid for by the applicant and will include the possibility of negotiated exactions to mitigate substantial costs; if substantial costs cannot be mitigated, the city will have the right to deny a building permit for a proposed project.
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