(The Center Square) – The Seattle City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an emergency ordinance that bans anti-competitive covenants that prevent new grocery stores and pharmacies from opening in former locations.
This measure aims to address growing concerns about food and medicine deserts – a geographic area with limited access to healthy, affordable food and essential medicines – in the Emerald City. There are food and medicine deserts in several Seattle neighborhoods, including Beacon Hill, Georgetown, Northgate, Rainier Beach and Delridge, among others.
The newly-passed Council Bill 121094 makes “restrictive covenants” illegal. These agreements – put on a property’s deed or lease – block efforts to bring new grocery stores and pharmacies into existing spaces that could easily accommodate them. Former retailers sometimes do this to prevent competitors from opening in their old locations…