Poll: Are You Glad City Leaders Rejected the Chain Store Ban?

After months of debate, the Sonoma City Council chose to forgo a controversial moratorium on chain stores in a split vote Wednesday night, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat is reporting.

The moratorium, which required a 4-5 vote to pass, would have banned "formula businesses" – defined in the bill as a business outlet with "ten more more like businesses" – within set boundaries near to the Plaza.

But council members split over the proposed legislation, with Mayor Joanne Sanders and Councilman Tom Rouse coming down against the bill, according to the Press Democrat:

“The headlines aren't going to say we're imposing a 45-day respite from corporate America,” Councilman Tom Rouse said. They're “going to say Sonoma bans corporate America from coming to the gates.”

Read the full text of the article here.

Though Councilman Barbose advocated for a less strict version of the legislation, the issue died after it became clear the moratorium would not receive a 4-5 vote.

The ban, limiting big-box chain stores within city limits, was prompted after that on West Napa Street.

But, in a Patch poll, over 62 percent of respondents said at Staples; and about 59 percent of respondents of a Williams Sonoma store opening in downtown Sonoma. 

So, perhaps only the most vocal residents are in favor of blocking big-box business in downtown Sonoma. Or, maybe most residents enjoy the convenience of shopping at chain stores, even if they don't support them in concept.

What do you think? Did the council make the right decision?