In 1990, Cotati citizens voted to impose a limit on future annexation of land by the city. This was followed in 1997 by a ballot measure prohibiting "big-box" retail stores of more than . However, on November 4, 2003, Cotati voters approved (by 1,047 votes to 1,013) Measure B, granting an exception to this ordinance so that a Lowe's home improvement warehouse could be built on the west side of U.S. 101.
In 1990 Cotati citizens voted to impose a limit on future annexation of land by the city This was followed in 1997 by a ballot measure prohibiting "big-box" retail stores of more than  However on November 4 2003 Cotati voters approved (by 1047 votes to 1013) Measure B granting an exception to this ordinance so that a Lowe's home improvement warehouse could be built on the west side of US 101