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� �`;� <br />,w . <br />A<. <br />,` Y` f��� � <br />� <br />�; � � c � • � � , s � " �. � _ <br />o r �; -�;.r rz � &�. � "�° Y _� �"� k a ' :,. k ° x� � s�; � � �; � <br />By Stepben Svete, AICP <br />Ma�er� 2oos <br />AMERICAN <br />1� <br />P!/aNNli�lG <br />ASSOCIATIOtV <br />llrrat�is plazrt areu is the foeal point of the cammaenity and the settit:g thcat generated the iraitial cancernr �tGout formulrt restaanants �nd <br />._'.'.:... j <br />tbefr intrusion into a local hdstoric district�—MIKE 1ViULLEN, t�RCATA, CALIFURMA, PLAN�IINC PROG[tAtvf MANAGGR <br />mong the articles of faath that many urban planners 1-cold <br />as self-evident is that Iand-use planning is a tru[y local <br />endeavor. Many even espouse that a town's general plan can <br />influence quality of life through land-use regu(ation. This theory <br />has been at the crux of the New Urbanist argument for <br />revamping development codes. <br />But a fumiy thing happened on the way to urban design <br />perfection-11.merican-style corporate capitalism. The �IcChora of <br />the chain coffee houses, stores, aud rescaurants devouring space in <br />the neo town centers—the very projeas tliac collecr awacds at APA <br />conferences—are at rislc of turning these develop�nents into carhon <br />copies of one another. The result is noc a new type of community at <br />all, but simply a new version of a shopping mall, uleimately <br />conerolled by the same corporations that controlled the old ones. <br />And while the vasc majoriry of inunicipali�ies are still thrilled whefi <br />Starbucks talces up residence in their downtowns or rheir revamped <br />subucban centers, there is a small but inte�•est€ng posse of cities that <br />are going a dif�erent dircction. <br />These towns—call thcm anti-formula business tocvns—have <br />raised die bar on development, transce�iding the rypical <br />discussion about facade creatment and sales tax revenues. They <br />have the vision of remaining a place that cannot be replicaced; <br />sa£eguarding a communiry where retailers and hoteliez•s—like <br />residents—are unique ro rl�at place, and whea•e the geography is <br />somewliere, They are Fonvarding that vision t(�rough the use oF <br />the police power of zoning to �acicle deeper issues of commu�iity <br />econotnics and social ecology. <br />' f� �I��s�a� �� ��r�s�� <br />``'in tl�e last decade, other progressive effores at supporting <br />independenc establis6�nents and fighting fonnula businesses <br />have caken root around the nacion. The Bou[der Independent <br />$usiness Alliance (BIBA), a membership-supported nonprofit <br />organization in Boulder, Colorado, with a sustainable mission <br />of "strengthening and supporting locally owned independent <br />businesses" has supported Bo�ilder County's local businesses <br />since 1998 with joinc rzzarketing, consumer and policymaker <br />education programs, and more. <br />Communiry economists in Ithaca, New Yorlc, devised a local <br />cu:•rency system wirh a"regional boundary [to] Iceep local <br />wealth re-circulating within the commurzity." Since 1991, the <br />progzam has grown co involve some 950 merchants and services. <br />Catled Ici�aca HOU€ZS, the currency is the equivalent to the <br />average hoitrly wage in Tomplcii�s County—$10. <br />H�URS notes bu�r plumbing, carpentry, electrical worlc, <br />roofing, nursin�, cliiropractic, childcarc, car and bike repair, <br />e . o ���a�� �-J��� ��°�-��,��� <br />��l//�tlfY �0� �i�i�(L���O <br />d� <br />Prom April 14-25 go onlii-�e to participate in our <br />Asfc the Author" forum, an iuteractive Featux•e of <br />Zoning Newc. Stephen 5vete, r,rcn, will be available <br />to answer questions about this article, Go �o the <br />APA we6site at www.planning.oeg and foilo�v the <br />links to the `Aslc the Auchor" seccion. I':�om there, <br />just subinic your questions about the a�-ricle using <br />an e-inail link. The author will reply, posting the <br />answers cumulatively on rlle website for the benef t <br />of al� subscribers. This feature wiil be available for <br />selected issues of 7oreireg 1Nezus at announced times. <br />11Cter eacll online ciiscussion is closed, the answers <br />�vill be saved in an online archive available i}�rough <br />the APA Zorzing Netus webpages. <br />;;: ;';s' <br />, <br />, <br />': :i <br />S <br />` :.:i <br />;a <br />.,° :; <br />it <br />':; i <br />E <br />;� <br />i <br />... .1 <br />