Council Head proposes big box ban

[Miulang]

Well, the Chairman on the Maui County Council (http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=27134)(a guy from Lana'i) is proposing a ban on future big box stores on Maui. He says having big box stores defeats the purpose of smart growth policies and precludes small businesses from thriving.

The proposal would change land-use laws to prohibit stores that occupy more than 90,000 square feet, stock more than 25,000 different products or dedicate more than 20,000 square feet to groceries. In a written message to council members, Hokama said superstores contradict smart-growth principles, and noted that the Big Island, Kauai and Honolulu are contemplating similar policies.

“The experience of communities across the United States has shown that the development of ’superstores’ . . . results in tremendous adverse community impacts, including traffic congestion, increased demand on government infrastructure, negative environmental consequences and harmful, often fatal, impacts on small businesses,” he wrote.


Gee, no more Costcos or WalMarts on Maui? What a concept!:cool: It would surprise me greatly if this proposal ever got beyond the talking stage, though, because there's too much money involved (and money=clout). Currently, none of the big boxes is announcing any plans to expand their operations on Maui, but I bet it will only be a matter of time before it happens, because consumers will start demanding the same kinds of amenities that Honolulu has.

Council Chair Hokama indicates that Oahu, the Big Island (http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2007/01/17/local_news/local02.txt)and Kauai (http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2006/12/13/news/news01.txt) are also exploring the possibility of limiting the incursion of the Mainland big boxes. Could this be the start of a chain reaction among all the islands to say no to more large retail growth?:confused:

Miulang

[timkona]

In order for a big box store to adhere to Smart Growth principles, it would have to

1) Face a street/sidewalk with parking in the rear.
2) Have multiple story parking that limits the footprint of parking
3) Have 5-10 stories directly above for Residential use in a variety of sizes from teeny-tiny studios to 4 bedroom Penthouses.
4) Have a nearby promenade or central fountain area, with trees, benches, and a limited access busstop, that is closer to the entrance of the store than the parking in the rear.

It is quite possible for big box retail, medium retail, and "mom&pop" retail to coexist with residential uses and office/business uses.

Why does it always have to be THIS OR THAT?

Can't we just have it all?

[toeknee]

The irony of outer-island consumers demanding the same kind of amenities as Honolulu is that with those amenities come with detriments as well; traffic gridlock, consumer waste and low-wage jobs. Certainly, cheaper goods would help locals on a tight budget, but at what ultimate cost to the uniqueness of Hawaii's culture and lifestyle? Sadly, I fear we are simply becoming just like the rest of America; a Wal-Mart, Target or Costco in every town, a Chili's, Olive Garden and Hooters on every corner. (And speaking of Hooters, I hear there's one coming to Ali'i drive in Kailua-Kona soon.) There's a new adjective being used to describe the fact that American cities are becoming indistinguishable from one another. It's generica.