R’ Feivel did not speak in the capacity of a rabbi. He spoke as a concerned private citizen who lives near the planned mall, as do many others.
Regarding the actual construction and its affect on quality of life, traffic, congestion etc., he said that he had no opinion.
His opinion was a religious one. He said that the question of building the mall vs the objections of the residents was one for Bes Din, not city hall.
Agreed.