Alex Williamson ultimately wants to ensure that the development of the ISI-owned tract does not interfere with the quality of life in his residential neighborhood or in the residential neighborhoods of all those who have joined the Associated Neighbors to Tame Intercontinental (ANTI). His research has demonstrated that the development of shopping malls adjacent to residential neighborhoods leads to increased traffic congestion and noise. Therefore, during the negotiation, Mr. Williamson wants to impress on ISI that ANTI will oppose the development of the ISI mall unless ISI makes provisions to deal with these likely effects.
This issue between ANTI and ISI is negotiable, therefore, as long as ANTI does not hold the position that the only solution to their problem is to completely oppose the building of the mall. ANTI should keep in mind that the new mall could possibly increase the quality of life in their neighborhoods. For example, the mall will provide service jobs that could be filled by local teenagers and, if properly integrated into the neighborhood, it could provide easier access to stores and other services. Mr. Williamson, therefore, should listen to ISI's position with an open mind while negotiating to ensure that provisions are made for the quality of the neighborhoods.
ANTI has the ability to, at the very least, delay the construction of the mall. Beyond that, ANTI can bog ISI down in expensive and protracted litigation that could further anger neighborhood residents and harden their desire to oppose the construction. Moreover, the outcome of such litigation would be uncertain, and could result in ANTI blocking the construction altogether. It is in ISI's best interest, therefore, to attempt to negotiate with ANTI.
However, it is also in ANTI's best interest to negotiate with ISI. As noted above, the outcome of any litigation could be uncertain, which means if ANTI sued to block construction of the mall, t...