2008 Woodie Awards
Smoking ban OK'd and Super Wal-Mart a step closer
Rachel Goodell - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 9/10/08 Section: Metro
No more smoking in the Pedestrian Mall near the playground. And a Super Wal-Mart is one vote away from fruition.
Iowa City city councilors handled both measures on Tuesday night, hearing relatively little discussion - the smoking issue was expedited in fewer than five minutes.
The measure expands the statewide ban's reach to include the areas outside entertainment venues, sporting events, and parking ramps.
Wal-Mart opponents left disgruntled after the councilors voted in favor of allowing the southern Iowa City Wal-Mart to become a Super Wal-Mart.
The vote was the second of three-successive considerations. If the council approves the zoning amendment at its next formal session, Sept. 23, Wal-Mart will be allowed to expand.
Three residents urged the council to vote against the expansion during a discussion of the issue. The main concern they addressed was Wal-Mart's alleged unethical corporate practices.
Many of the councilors stressed that the issue at hand was a zoning issue and should not be made based on moral statutes.
"This is a land-use decision," City Councilor Ross Wilburn said. He likened Wal-Mart's right to expand its current property to the Ku Klux Klan's right to assemble, despite its beliefs.
"What [Wal-Mart is] doing doesn't violate our zoning ordinances," said City Councilor Matt Hayek.
Iowa City has some ordinances in place that can deny zoning privileges based on moral concerns - such as building a pornography store next to a school. However, this issue does not fit into those categories, Hayek said.
One citizen said the council is using dated information and not carefully considering the effect a Super Wal-Mart could have on Iowa City.
Libris Ronald Kinum Fidelis said he thought councilors had make up their minds before the meeting began, saying, "They're rubber-stamping this."
Mike Wright, the lone councilor to vote against the consideration, said he feels such a matter should benefit the community and doesn't think a Super Wal-Mart will do that.
Iowa City city councilors handled both measures on Tuesday night, hearing relatively little discussion - the smoking issue was expedited in fewer than five minutes.
The measure expands the statewide ban's reach to include the areas outside entertainment venues, sporting events, and parking ramps.
Wal-Mart opponents left disgruntled after the councilors voted in favor of allowing the southern Iowa City Wal-Mart to become a Super Wal-Mart.
The vote was the second of three-successive considerations. If the council approves the zoning amendment at its next formal session, Sept. 23, Wal-Mart will be allowed to expand.
Three residents urged the council to vote against the expansion during a discussion of the issue. The main concern they addressed was Wal-Mart's alleged unethical corporate practices.
Many of the councilors stressed that the issue at hand was a zoning issue and should not be made based on moral statutes.
"This is a land-use decision," City Councilor Ross Wilburn said. He likened Wal-Mart's right to expand its current property to the Ku Klux Klan's right to assemble, despite its beliefs.
"What [Wal-Mart is] doing doesn't violate our zoning ordinances," said City Councilor Matt Hayek.
Iowa City has some ordinances in place that can deny zoning privileges based on moral concerns - such as building a pornography store next to a school. However, this issue does not fit into those categories, Hayek said.
One citizen said the council is using dated information and not carefully considering the effect a Super Wal-Mart could have on Iowa City.
Libris Ronald Kinum Fidelis said he thought councilors had make up their minds before the meeting began, saying, "They're rubber-stamping this."
Mike Wright, the lone councilor to vote against the consideration, said he feels such a matter should benefit the community and doesn't think a Super Wal-Mart will do that.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jessie
posted 9/10/08 @ 4:58 PM CST
WAL-MART HURTS LOCAL BUSINESSES AND LEAVES US TAXPAYERS PAYING MORE TAXES!!
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