Palmer council eyes 'box store' ordinance

PALMER -- Maintaining Palmer's small-town charm while encouraging economic growth -- this appears to be the challenge before the Palmer City Council as it considers an ordinance that would regulate large retail establishments.

Drafted by city staff in light of a new 70,000-square-foot Fred Meyer under construction a few blocks from city hall, the ordinance would ban so-called "big box stores" in Palmer's limited commercial areas and would allow them in general commercial districts only with a conditional-use permit. It would also set up standards for traffic, landscaping and building design, some of the major concerns brought up by residents who attended Fred Meyer meetings earlier this year.

A somewhat modified version of the ordinance with a stamp of approval from the Planning and Zoning Commission was introduced to the city council last week and, typically, would have been slated for public hearing and a vote at the next regular meeting. This was too fast paced for the council, however, which unanimously decided to instead schedule a work session on the ordinance for 7 p.m. on Oct. 15.

"I just want to make sure we're going down the right path," Councilman Brad Hanson said. He said while new developments should be in line with Palmer's atmosphere, he feared large retail establishments might be discouraged from moving in if the city becomes too restrictive.

"I happen to think it's a good thing Fred Meyer is coming to town," Hanson said.

In addition to allowing the council more time to consider the ordinance and its ramifications, Hanson said he also wants copies of the proposal to be distributed to those it would affect -- large retail establishments. He suggested soliciting input from Fred Meyer and other companies.

"It just brought up a lot of questions … it's more complicated than a standard ordinance," Hanson said.

Councilman Tony Pippel agreed.

"I think this is a reasonable first draft effort," he said, but added that he wanted more time for both the council and community to consider it. He suggested scheduling at least two public hearings, and inviting both residents and retail companies to attend.

The ordinance as proposed wouldn't retroactively affect the new Fred Meyer project already under construction in Palmer. However, city officials have said the development would already meet many of the standards set up by the proposed ordinance.

In addition to addressing details such as how much lawn and trees have to be included in a plan for a "big box store," Pippel said he wanted time to consider larger philosophical issues involved in creating this type of ordinance, such as seeking a balance between community esthetics and a strong economic base.

"I think it's possible to come up with an ordinance that meets both of those needs," he said.

One of the primary concerns of both the planning commission and city council has been the proposal to use conditional-use permits to regulate large stores. Hanson said this approach might be too subjective, allowing "prejudices" against some businesses to affect city decisions. He added that this approach could make the choice of who gets a permit and who doesn't a "political fireball."

The planning commission, too, was uncomfortable with the idea of using conditional-use permits, Jansen told the council, but was unable to come up with another solution.

As proposed, the ordinance would apply to retail establishments larger than 20,000 square feet -- about the size of Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fairground. City staff looked at similar ordinances in Washington, New Mexico and Anchorage when writing it.