Quote Originally Posted by Mark Smiles View Post
Isn't it up to the property owners to decide how they wan to use their property. I really don't see how it is the responsibility of the local government to protect local businesses from competition.

If someone has a candle shop they can't use the government to stop anther candle shop from moving in next door.

OFF TOPIC - Why does this forum seem so hard to type in, constantly skipping letters?
Owners have a lot of control over how their property is used, but they are subject to various kinds of land use controls. You probably can't convert your house to a multiple family dwelling, even though you own it. That isn't to protect landlords from competition. You are probably aware of places where they have zoning where you aren't allowed to have an "adult" establishment within a certain distance of another one. That idea also isn't to prevent competition, but to prevent the formation of an "adult" district which drives out the other businesses. In Royal Oak, the idea would be that having restaurants and bars pushing out all other retail businesses is making the the town less desirable to live in, and it is perfectly reasonable to think that a town government which is primarily responsive to its residents might want to take steps to prevent that. Of course the owners could challenge those restrictions if they were ever put in place.