SALINAS
Plans for a new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Salinas have been thwarted by a new ordinance banning so-called big-box stores from selling much food.
The ordinance that limits stores with more than 90,000 square feet in retail floor space from devoting more than 5 percent of that space to non-taxable items, such as groceries, passed by a five-two vote Tuesday.
It was seen as an attempt to head off Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s plan to open a second Salinas store.
Backers of the ordinance argued the new Wal-Mart would hurt smaller businesses and provide only low-wage jobs.
Opponents said the ordinance gave the impression that the town is not business-friendly and that consumers should be free to shop where they want.
