BROOKSVILLE - From reducing the wattage of light bulbs in their parking lots to the use of barrier walls to dampen noise, developers of large retail stores may soon have to adhere to tougher new building regulations in Hernando County.
County commissioners Wednesday voted unanimously to hold one more public hearing, on July 22, to consider adopting amendments to the new "Big Box" ordinance, which sets building parameters for retail establishments larger than 65,000 square feet, such as Wal-Mart, Target, Lowe's, Home Depot and JCPenney.
Commissioners at their land use hearing said they were satisfied with the changes but must wait until the second public hearing before formally adopting them.
The amended ordinance includes changes in vehicle access, expands store setbacks from the road, facilitates pedestrian walkways and requires retailers to make more visual enhancements to cut down on eye pollution.
Many of the suggested changes are technical, such as shielding from view the store's heating and air conditioning units.
Full Story: http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2008/jul/10/ha-big-stores-face-tougher-rules/