IOWA CITY — Opponents of a proposed Wal-Mart Supercenter in Iowa City
filed a second lawsuit against the city Thursday, this time calling the
City Council’s land rezoning for the retail giant ‘‘illegal’’ and ‘‘an
abuse of discretion.’’

The [plaintiffs] sued the Iowa City Board of Adjustment last week for
its June 8 approval of a special exception for a drive-through pharmacy
and gas station that would be included with the Supercenter.

In this latest lawsuit, they argue that the council had a
responsibility to protect the community from the likes of Wal-Mart. The
company offers low wages and benefits, buys its merchandise
predominantly from China and works to kill off local businesses,
according to its critics.

The rezoning itself was also improper because the city, which applied
for that rezoning, had a vested financial interest in its passage, the
lawsuit argues.

The Iowa City City Attorney’s Office declined comment Thursday.

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