Two years ago, a city plan to permit construction of up to 57 megastores in industrial zones around the city died when it failed to win approval in the City Council.

At the time, critics said the plan would increase traffic, degrade community character and undermine industrial employment by forcing up property values in industrially zoned neighborhoods.

The Mayor says the stores will help consumers by easing prices for goods in the city, and bolster the city's economy by keeping shoppers from traveling to the suburbs for bargains.

The plan could win more support if provisions are made to site more of the stores near public transit and to limit the huge parking lots that generate additional traffic. Some big box stores with no parking are now thriving in Manhattan.