Author offers cities planning tips to avoid big-box blues

Through "citizen awareness," zoning and planning, municipal leaders can have a big say in how their cities are developed, author Stacy Mitchell said Tuesday to a gathering of local planners and economic development officials.

Cities don't have to be overrun by big-box retailers such as Wal-Mart and Target, she said.

"Really," Mitchell said, "we have so many choices to determine how we grow."

Mitchell, who penned the book "The Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Business," spoke to planners as part of a training session sponsored by the Utah League of Cities and Towns. Her appearance was also in conjunction with "Buy Local First Week," which is sponsored by Local First Utah to encourage residents to buy at local stores and businesses.

Buy Local First Week began last Saturday and will end this Saturday. The goal of the week is to remind residents and governments about the importance of supporting local businesses, according to Betsy Burton, owner of the King's English bookstore in Salt Lake City and chairwoman of the Utah Local First Board.

David Baird, economic development director for the city of Draper, said he attended Mitchell's presentation to get a different perspective about how cities should grow and develop.

Mitchell believes that by fostering local businesses, cities can help keep companies' profits within their city and can encourage diverse, vibrant developments. Also, local businesses are more likely to purchase supplies and goods from other local companies.

"As a city, we're very sensitive to having a good balance," Baird said about Draper's development strategy. "We want to keep some of the unique flavor of our community, but also have a strong supply of highly desired retail goods."

In spring 2007, Draper plans to welcome the opening of a 310,000-square-foot IKEA store. The store will be located on about 22 acres along Pony Express Drive, near the northwest corner of I-15 and Bangerter Highway.

Burton said Tuesday that she didn't think all big-box stores should be banned, but rather, that cities should have more input in how their cities grow and develop.

"There's a place for all of them," Burton said. "The decisions our cities make will really determine what their community looks like."

For information about the Local First campaign, go to www.localfirst.org.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com