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GIRARD -- City Council by a 7-0 vote Dec. 12 denied a zone change request for properties on Churchill Road that would have paved the way for a Dollar General.
The city's Planning Commission recommended the change from residential to commercial for five parcels of land at 520 and 542 Churchill Road for the discount store, but after hearing concerns from residents on traffic, stormwater and sewage runoff and appearance of the building, city council unanimously struck down the change.
Councilman Thomas Grumley, D-4th Ward, said he has concerns of increased traffic in a residential area.
"We would be changing an entire block with this there. There would be no room for a third lane on Churchill Road. I have concerns that we have not thoroughly dissected the impact of this," he said.
John Latell Jr. of Crestmont Drive, who spoke on behalf of his father, John Latell Sr., who owns the Churchill Road property, said the idea was to have a store for the neighborhood so residents didn't have to drive to Belmont Avenue in Liberty,
"This being there would provide a nice, easy and safe drive for people to go for milk, toiletries or school supplies for their children. This would be in a safe area," he said.
Latell said there would be no homes next to the store. He added with IGA on U.S. Route 422 closing there are fewer places for shopping.
The change was requested by Hurley & Stewart LLC of Kalamazoo, Mich., on behalf of Capital Growth, Buchalter Inc. of Birmingham, Ala. Brian Gillespie of Hurley and Stewart said he will let his clients know of council's decision to see what they want to do next.
Although she cast a dissenting vote, Councilwoman Lily Martuccio, chairwoman of the economic development committee, said it's important to have businesses locate in the city.
"We want to propel the city forward and get businesses to locate here. We are very close to the interstate and could bring people here," she said.