Sonoma city leaders want the power to screen big-box stores, national chains and formula stores that are looking to open outlets in the historic town.
On Tuesday, City Council members asked staff to explore ways the city can gain more control over what types of stores and chains can set up shop in the city. The move comes a month after controversy flared about plans by Staples to open an office supply store in a 14,400-square-foot former Ford dealership on West Napa Street.
A group of local merchants raised the issue last month, asking the council for emergency changes to the city's zoning ordinances to "keep our town free of big-box store conglomerates."
Some council members shared concerns that Staples would erode the city's historic charms and threaten local businesses. But at their meeting last month, council members found they had no legal grounds to impose a moratorium on Staples without being able to cite public health and safety concerns.
On Monday, the council asked for ways to gain more control when similar situations arise in the future so they can shape the character of the city as a special place to live and visit.
"We are at a tipping point," said Councilman Ken Brown. "What we have is the goose that is laying golden eggs. There is a point when people stop buying our golden eggs and go somewhere else."
"We are not going to be in Sunset magazine as a great place to go," Councilman Steve Barbose said.
They asked staff to explore ways the city might require certain stores to undergo community impact reports, which could examine everything from their workers' wages to how they would impact the town's historic feel. The council did not decide what type of stores would trigger such reports.
Others council members were more cautious about the idea, pointing out that defining chains, big-box stores and formula stores can be tricky. Such categories may describe many local businesses already present in the town, like Mary's Pizza Shack, a local chain with 17 restaurants, including one on Sonoma's historic plaza.
"They too would be under scrutiny even if they're based here," Councilman Tom Rouse said, adding that he was also concerned about impeding business in the city.
"Restraint of trade is restraint of trade," Rouse said. "This is not the welcome mat some would say we are interested in having in this town. We've got to be careful.
"This is not very business friendly," he said.
But Barbose said the city's economic and business well-being was tied up in maintaining Sonoma's unique feel. Added restrictions on certain stores and chains would enhance the city's overall business health, he said, asking staff to move quickly in its report.
"We live in a very unique area," he said. "By preserving what is special we are protecting our local economy and business."
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