Don Moore reports in The Columbia Paper that the Hudson Common Council unanimously voted Jan. 16 for a law restricting large commerical retail chains from doing business in the city. Only two members of the public spoke about the law prior to the vote, a former councilperson, John Friedman, and a local blogger, Carole Osterink, and they both favored the proposal. Friedman first proposed the law, which says it was meant to address “the preservation of community character through provisions intended to promote investment of local businesses dedicated to the local economy.” The law changes Hudson's zoning code with new review standards and penalties to stop any “type of retail sales or service activity or sales or retail establishment that has four or more other retail sales establishments… located anywhere in the world.” Federally or New York State chartered banking, savings and loan, and trust institutions; pharmacies and drug stores; stores where the overwhelming majority of the foods sold are un- or minimally-processed and intended for preparation and consumption by the purchaser or another location; and convenience stores that also sell gasoline are exempt from the law. Fast-food restaurants, movie theatres, office supply stores, and hotels are among the businesses not allowed under the law. The county planning board suggested some changes, which were adopted, but also questioned whether “the prohibition of these uses is based on the health, safety, and welfare of the community.” Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.