Second-hand and third hand stores in Urbana, Champaign and the surrounding areas will have to face tougher competition, with an increase in competition by big brands such as Walmart, Target and Home Depot, the city’s Planning Commission on Monday approved the proposal for a new zoning ordinance.
The new zoning would allow the building owners to set their own building heights, limit the size of the store and set maximum parking spaces.
The proposal also calls for a two-tier zoning system with two tiers for stores and second-tier for third- and fourth-hand retail outlets.
The proposed new zoning also requires the first store owner to pay a 50 percent building maintenance fee to the city.
The commission has approved the ordinance, which comes after years of discussions between Urbanshia’s planning commission and Urbanas property owners.
The ordinance was approved by the commission at its meeting on Wednesday.
The city’s plans for new zoning were unveiled after Urbancraft and Urbilancraft, the local third-party leasing companies, were sued by a small third- party who wanted to build a new second-home store on their property, the Urbannews reported.