A San Francisco suburb voted Tuesday night to use the power of eminent domain to keep Wal-Mart Stores Inc. off a piece of city land after hearing from dozens of residents who accused the big-box retailer of engaging in scare tactics to force its way into the bedroom community.
The overflow crowd that packed into the tiny Hercules City Hall cheered after the five-person City Council voted unanimously to use the unusual tactic to seize the 17 acres where Wal-Mart intended to build a shopping complex.
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Attorneys from Wal-Mart told the council that the retailer had spent close to $1 million to redesign the property to the community’s liking. They said the council couldn’t claim it was legally necessary to take the land and that the decision set a bad precedent.
Depends on what you mean by legally necessary. It wouldn’t have been legally necessary if Walmart did buy the property. But if the community doesn’t want Walmart and Walmart doesn’t give a shit, then it become necessary to take legal action. I think it sets a good precedent. Who cares what Walmart wants, Walmart is a soleless entity.
Although Mark Morford pointed out there may be reason not to hate Walmart quite so much.
Via San Francisco Chronicle: Hercules uses eminent domain to keep out Wal-Mart