Walmart Los Angeles

Discount retail giant Walmart outwitted Los Angeles City Council members who sought to slow the company’s expansion into Chinatown, securing permits for its store on the eve of a crucial vote on the topic. The council voted 13 to 0 on Friday to draft a law temporarily banning large chain stores from opening in the neighborhood. But minutes before that vote, the top official at the Department of Building and Safety revealed that a day earlier Walmart had obtained permits needed to renovate its vacant commercial space. “This ordinance would not have any immediate impact on this project,” department general manager Robert “Bud” Ovrom told the council. Councilman Ed Reyes, who proposed the moratorium, said he was disappointed by Ovrom’s news. He said he had hoped the temporary ban would help him protect the neighborhood’s character and address traffic generated by Walmart. Rosemead Mayor Steven Ly defended the chain, saying Walmart brought his city a windfall of tax revenue. And county Supervisor Gloria Molina said before the vote — and before the revelation about Walmart’s permits — that Reyes’ proposal would give the council a “black eye” if approved. Walmart spokesman Steven Restivo issued a statement Friday saying the company would continue to engage residents about the benefits of its new store. “Now that our Walmart Neighborhood Market has received all necessary approvals, we look forward to serving downtown customers soon,” Restivo said.

Read more at the Los Angeles Times