BALTIMORE — The Baltimore City Council is currently considering legislation that would impose zoning regulations on discount stores.

Council Bill 25-0040 would require so called "small box establishments" to be located at least half-a-mile apart from one another before opening for business.

The bill would also narrow the number of days a store like that could be closed prior to being deemed abandoned and losing its usage permit.

The City's Legal Department, however, says the proposal could face legal hurdles.

"The bill appears to be aimed at regulating competition and favoring local businesses over national chain businesses within the same district, which the City may not do through its zoning powers," the City Solicitor's Office wrote in a memo.

City lawyers raised concern about the

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