Big-Box Moratorium Defeated

Amidst all the snow and holiday hustle and bustle, I almost missed the fact that City Council wisely decided not to impose a moratorium on so-called “big-box” shopping centers. Although the regulations on the location and appearance of these stores could be problematic depending on which direction Council decides to go, at least they have avoided imposing an unnecessarily harsh moratorium. Although the Rio Grande Foundation did not take the lead role in opposing these restrictions (we did go on record as opposing them ahead of the vote), it is our hope that their rejection may be a sign that Albuquerque’s Council is beginning to realize that heavy regulatory and tax burdens will harm Albuquerque and push even more economic development out to Rio Rancho and beyond.