Smokey Barn News June 18, 2013
Commission Backs Community In No Vote On Dollar General Near 49-Market
A resolution to change 5.32 acres located on Sandy Springs Rd and TN Highway 49 from AG-2 (Agricultural / Residential) to C-2 (Neighborhood Commercial District) in order to facilitate the construction of a 9,100 square foot Dollar General Store was brought before the Robertson County commission Monday evening June 17th.
Monte Turner and Associates Realty is proposing to develop 1 acre of the 5.32 acres in question. Mr Turner said that Dollar General stores in Greenbrier, Adams and Springfield have never had any calls about noise or other troubles with development. There are plans for large green buffers to the east north and to west. This store will provide conveniences to local residents for retail/grocery shopping. As for traffic increase, it is estimated one car increase every three minutes or 200 cars a day which will be a low impact and high benefit to consumers in the area and we hope residents will shop at this retail outlet.
Ralph White owner of the 49 Market says, “Traffic is a major issue and lots of accidents already occur at the intersection adjacent to his business. Allowing the Dollar General to move in will leave the other 4 acres available to be sold to a strip mall in the future. “This will put me out of business as I can’t survive just on selling gas.” White also said,” I will have to close when they open.”
Other residents at the meeting expressed their concerns about a decrease in value of their homes and traffic concerns with Flewellyn R.d and where 257 meets Hwy 49. This proposed Dollar General will complicate traffic.
The community acquired 331 signatures on a recent petition and the many people that attending last nights meeting strongly stated that the community does not want another convenience type of business in the vicinity of the 49 Market. A big applause erupted after one resident said, “Our shopping needs are met by the 49 market.”
Peggy Ruth Vice Mayor of Coopertown said, “I understand the desire for business development but also listening to the voters, 331 people signed a petition and the application for the Dollar General received a tie vote. It does not meet c2 district low intensity retail without disrupting the neighborhood. There are no sidewalks and volume would increase with the intent to attract passing motorists. We urge you to vote no”.
The vote resulted in favor of community residents and against the building of a Dollar General in the vicinity of the 49 St. Market.
Jim Ball reporting
I think it would be good for a dollar store to come in Cooperstown and get Mr. White out of there his prizes to high nd he needs to retire Nd get some one else a chance to grow and that store is to high on their stuff and he needs to retire
That’s it peps lets say no to more jobs wow
What a dum idea to say no to umm last time I check there r peps out here that need a JOB