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The Gresham City Council today approved an ordinance that will dictate the future of big-box development in the city.

The ordinance package included updated zoning that shoehorns development of future large-format retailers to three downtown commercial districts. This is meant to condense big-box development to specific areas, freeing up the predominantly residential corridors throughout the city.

The approved ordinance also puts size limits on the city’s two main large-format commercial zone types. Community commercial now has a 100,000-square-foot size limit, while moderate commercial now has an 80,000-square-foot size limit and a 40,000-square-foot footprint limit.

Finally, the new ordinance creates design standards for large-format retailers within the accepted areas. Large-format retailers will now have to go through a strengthened design review process that will include implementing sustainability measures into the projects and stricter façade requirements.

The ordinance package was approved unanimously by the council. But that didn’t mean that everyone was happy.

Mark Pedersen, an unemployed Rockwood citizen, took time during the public comment period to share his concerns.

“Whether you like big-box stores or not, they bring lots of jobs and lots of taxes,” he said. “And for nearly 10,000 citizens in Gresham right now, improved livability means getting a job.”