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GIRARD -- While city officials look to develop the downtown business district and receive assistance from the Regional Chamber and the Trumbull County Planning Commission, they once again are dealing with a request to build a Dollar General store in a residential area.
At the Jan. 9 meeting, council learned that a company is seeking to build a Dollar General off Churchill Road between Highland Avenue and Churchill Road.
Council in December voted 7-0 against a series of zoning changes for a Dollar General store on Churchill Road. The firm of Hurley & Stewart LLC of Kalamazoo, Mich., requested on behalf of Capital Growth, Buchalter Inc. of Birmingham, Ala., to rezone five parcels from residential to commercial.
The store would have replaced a Dollar General on the same road. Ryan Gillepsie of Hurley and Stewart told council last month the new store would be larger with an expanded produce section.
The application for any zone change on property goes first through the city's planning commission before coming to council.
Council members and residents expressed concerns of increased traffic, parking problems and stormwater damage in the area for the store.
Officials indicated they want to attract business to the downtown area instead of residential areas. A Santisi's IGA store on U.S. Route 422 closed its doors last year after 75 years of business.
Councilman at-Large Joseph Shelby said there are vacant properties in the downtown area which could be used for new businesses, such as a Dollar General.
''It's important that we promote our vacant downtown properties,'' he said.
Mayor James Melfi said the Dollar General has had a successful long history off Churchill Road.
''They don't want to move to the downtown, they want to be there," Melfi said. "As mayor, I want to see the jobs, the income and the businesses."
Second Ward Councilman Mark Standohar said at a recent ward meeting, more than 20 people favored a Dollar General off Churchill Road.
Fourth Ward Councilman Tom Grumley said traffic is a main concern since there is no room for a third lane on Churchill Road. He said he also is concerned about water runoff.
Melfi said he looks forward to working with Lauren Johnson of the chamber and Julie Green of the planning commission on promoting and developing the downtown area. Both women told council Monday they can assist the city in seeking grants for economic development.
In other business, council
l Approved entering into a contract with Ohio Department of Transportation for bridge inspection services in the city. Safety Service Director Jerry Lambert said the service is free; and
l Approved preparing legislation to place $25,000 of the recreation levy money in a fund to assist with getting grants for a large pavilion and improvements at Liberty Memorial Park.