15612 1 RESOLUTION NO. 15,612
2
3 A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH ESSENTIALLY A NINE (9)-MONTH
4 MORATORIUM ON THE APPROVAL OF ZONING REQUESTS FOR
5 RETAIL SALES USES OF LESS THAN 12,000 SQUARE-FEET, WHICH
6 CONTINUOUSLY OFFER FOR SALE A MAJORITY OF ITEMS IN THE
7 INVENTORY OF LESS THAN TEN DOLLARS ($10.00) PER ITEM; AND
8 FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
9
10 WHEREAS,the lack of access to fresh healthy food is a chronic and growing problem in Little Rock;
11 and,
12 WHEREAS, the proliferation of retail sales uses with floor area of less than 12,000 square-feet that
13 offer for sale a combination and variety of convenience shopping goods and consumer shopping goods,and
14 continuously offer a majority of the items in their inventory for sale at a price less than Ten Dollars($10.00)
15 per item exacerbates the problem; and,
16 WHEREAS, the lack of access to fresh health food contributes to significant chronic health issues,
17 such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes,cancer,and more;and,
18 WHEREAS,it is in the best public interest to promulgate policies that benefit residents.
19 NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CITY
20 OF LITTLE ROCK,ARKANSAS:
21 Section 1. The City of Little Rock,Arkansas("the City"),declares a moratorium for a nine(9)months
22 from the date of this resolution on the approval of retail sales spaces that contain a floor area of less than
23 12,000 square-feet, and continuously offers a majority of items in its inventory for sale at a price of less
24 than Ten Dollars($10.00)per item,provided that this matter shall be considered at the first monthly regular
25 meeting of the Board of Directors after the expiration of the moratorium.
26 Section 2. During the period that this moratorium is in effect, the Mayor and City Manager are
27 strongly encouraged to review the geographic location of any food desert within the City, and to identify
28 the number of stores that would otherwise be impacted by this moratorium had it been in effect before they
29 achieved their current location.
30 Section 3. During the period that this moratorium is in effect, the Mayor and the City Manager are
31 strongly encouraged to determine what federal grants might be available, and if appropriate to seek such
32 grants,to assist in the construction of full-service grocery stores within the determined food deserts.
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1 Section 4. During the time that this moratorium is in effect,the Mayor and City Manager are strongly
2 encouraged to hold public hearings in each ward of the City, and additional public hearings in each
3 geographic area determined to be a food desert, to obtain feedback as to the impact of the types of retail
4 spaces which contain a floor space of less than 12,000 square-feet, and continuously offer a majority of
5 items in the inventory for sale at a price of less than Ten Dollars($10.00)per item.
6 Section 5. Within thirty(30)days of the passage of this resolution, the Mayor and City Manager are
7 strongly encouraged to create and make available an online interactive form on the City's website that
8 residents and policymakers can use to submit ideas to address the problems of food deserts on a local
9 community.
10 Section 6. The Mayor and City Manager are strongly encouraged to investigate proposals that would
11 facilitate the opening of Full-Service Grocery Stores in any area determined to be a food desert, and to
12 consider what types of code actions the City can take to make such location a reality including,for example,
13 but not limited to the elimination or diminution of required parking spaces.
14 Section 7. In fulfilling the obligations set forth in this resolution, the Mayor and City Manager are
15 strongly encouraged to utilize advisers and resources from interested individuals, organizations, schools
16 such as the Harvard School of Public Health, and a review of policies,ordinances and resolutions directed
17 at such issues which have been approved, or are in consideration, by other municipalities.
18 Section 8. Severability. In the event any title, section, paragraph, item, sentence, clause, phrase, or
19 word of this resolution is declared or adjudged to be invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration or
20 adjudication shall not affect the remaining portions of the resolution which shall remain in full force and
21 effect as if the portion so declared or adjudged invalid or unconstitutional were not originally a part of the
22 resolution.
23 Section 9. Repealer. All laws,ordinances, resolutions,or parts of the same,that are inconsistent with
24 the provisions of this resolution, are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistency including, but not
25 limited to, Little Rock, Ark., Resolution No. 15,390(October 6,2020).
26 ADOPTED: January 18,2022
27 . ` r APPROVED
28
29 A�t."4--. ... ..{t rNi"ekdc
30 70111, P , ey,6 Clerk Frank Scott,Jr.,Mayor
31 APPRO 1 AS TO LEGAL FORM:
32
33 A •
34 Thomas M.Carpenter,City Attorney
35 II
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