Redlands Group Opposes Wal-Mart Super Store

A very nice man stopped at my door asking that I sign a petition (to be put on the ballot), to limit commercial buildings over a certain limit with sales revenue of a certain amount etc. This is obviously a group that wants to limit mega stores like the proposed Super Wal-Mart planned across from the Home Depot on West Lugonia Avenue.

This is a hot issue that pits property rights against community zoning and development restrictions. Some believe that mega stores leave a community featureless and create low paying jobs, while others see the tax revenue necessary to run a city being driven to another community, and jobs created when people really need them. Yet others believe that mega stores drive smaller stores out of business.

For myself, I tend to believe that opinions matter less, and that when we mess with property rights (guaranteed by the US Constitution), the Constitution wins. Redlands needs a zoning policy that is simply fair. If you buy property that is zoned for your use, you get to do what you want with your property. Is the issue about Wall-Mart or zoning?

What side are you on?