Quincy continues retail moratorium until January

City establishes guidelines

QUINCY - Quincy City Council approved to extend the retail business moratorium through January during a Tuesday night council meeting.

A public hearing was conducted to hear citizen testimony for or against the moratorium. City Attorney Allan Galbraith closed the public hearing because no one testified.

The ordinance applies to retail businesses exceeding 80,000 square feet, often referred to as "big box stores." During the moratorium large retail businesses are not allowed to build in the city.

The moratorium was initially discussed because council didn't want large vacant buildings left in their downtown areas. They want to keep the downtown area uniform. Council is looking for guidelines for large retail businesses to build to.

Galbraith said when large retail businesses come into a city oftentimes nearby commercial property values drop, the average wage drops and need for law enforcement increases. There is an impact on water, sewer and other public infrastructure.

He said typically larger retail businesses offer lower wages than a small retail business.

The planning commission will continue to meet every two weeks to study the issue and submit monthly reports to council. The commission will develop guidelines for large retail business development.

Galbraith said the moratorium can be extended for an additional six months if another public hearing and a vote is held in January.

Mayor Dick Zimbelman, Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Hemberry and Councilmember Jose Saldana were absent from the meeting.

Councilmember Manuel Guerrero served as the mayor pro-tem for the meeting.