“Big Box”
Retail Development
What is Big Box Retail Development?
Opposition to Big Box Development
Big Box Development: Myth versus Reality
What is Big Box Development?
The term "big box" refers to large-scale, stand-alone
retail establishments. These establishments provide consumers
with broad selection and low prices due to high-volume sales.
Perhaps the most hotly debated aspect of the Growth Management
issue, big box retail development has been fought in many
communities across the nation.
Opposition to Big Box Development
Those opposing such development generally cite the following
concerns about big box development:
- Detrimental impact on small, local businesses that
cannot compete with large retailers
- Increased traffic congestion and resulting air quality
issues
- Building structure inconsistency with community character
- Impact on community and economy when retailer goes
out of business or relocates
Efforts to block big box developmentare not always highly
publicized. Local governments have employed some creative
approaches to curtailing big box development. These approaches
often consist of seemingly very minor changes to zoning
ordinances. These simple changes are often challenging to
identify and receive approval with little input from the
business community.
Some examples of common tactics used to block big box development
include:
- Establishing limits for parking areas
- Establishing square footage limits for retail zoning
- Establishing product line restrictions
- Establishing building design requirements
For specific examples of local policy that blocks big box
retail development, please visit the Local
Policy section.
Big Box Development: Myth versus Reality
While the concerns about big box retail development are
not always well founded in fact, they are understandable.
This is precisely why the primary goal of “smart growth”
is comprehensive, long-term planning. It is not a question
of whether growth should be permitted, rather it is recognition
that growth is inevitable, necessary and positive if managed
properly.
Contrary to what big box opponents may believe, developers
of large-scale retail establishments carefully consider
development decisions. These developers are making significant
investments and decisions about where to locate a retail
establishment must make sense for the retailer. The current
and future needs of a community are major factors in the
decision making process, and the overall and long-term success
of big box establishments will depend largely on the community’s
planning and development activities.
Big box retail developments offer consumers choices and
convenience, and in most cases, reduce the distance consumers
must travel to shop.
These developments boost the local economy and tax base
by meeting consumer retail needs within the community,
as well as by providing jobs.
Rather than putting small, locally owned stores out of
business, big box retail developments frequently support
many small businesses by providing them with low-cost supplies
and services.
|
