Austin Bans "Big Boxes" Over Edwards Aquifer
Council OKs 'big-box' ban over aquifer
Austin City Council members early today unanimously approved banning so-called big-box stores in environmentally sensitive Southwest Austin.The ban prevents stores greater than 50,000 square feet from being built over the Edwards Aquifer, but allows grocery stores up to 100,000 square feet.
Copyright 2001-2003 Cox Texas Newspapers, L.P. All rights reserved.
*sigh*
There's more in the article (and the link will rot), but I don't care to discuss it.
UPDATE(12/12/2003 2:25pm)
City approves site for Wal-Mart, Lowe's
The Austin City Council approved the site at Ben White and Interstate 35 for a new Wal-Mart Supercenter.
The retailer promises that the new store will meet "the values and standards of the community" and follow strict environmental guidelines.
Thursday was the final vote on the ordinance that would allow Wal-Mart to move in.
The city of Austin reached a settlement with Lowe's Home Improvement Store.
The city was unable to stop construction of the large retail store in South Austin.
Lowe's has offered to meet some of the city's environmental building demands for a price.
Under the agreement, the city will receive $1 million in mitigation money.
Lowe's also will have to follow guidelines for its lighting and keep its arsenic-treated wood covered.
Copyright ©2003TWEAN News Channel of Austin, L.P. d.b.a. News 8 Austin
With the government whip not-so-subtlely kept in view, the two parties reach an agreement.
UPDATE(8/30/2004 9:56am)
Brewster McCracken's Jihad