LAKEPORT >> Opponents of the proposed Dollar General in Middletown were stunned at the Lake County Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting on Tuesday, as the planning commission’s April decision to deny the project was overturned 3-2.
Even more surprising was that their representative on the board, District 1 Supervisor Jim Comstock, was one of the supervisors that cast a vote in favor of Dollar General, and in fact used their argument — the economic struggle to recover from the Valley Fire — as a major reason to support his decision.
“The Valley Fire happened and a lot of things changed. We’ve had a significant loss of businesses in the community which means the citizens of Middletown have to leave for those goods and services,” he said. “I’m about having business in our community. I want the Middletown area to come back…we need to have businesses that provide goods and services that people need now and in the future.”
He also argued against the public’s claim that “box” stores like these are a detriment to local business. If a hit does occur, he added, it would only be temporary because it would drive more commercial traffic to the surrounding area.
Joining him in the vote to overturn was District 2 Supervisor Jeff Smith. He reasoned that the fear of losing local dollars is a moot point because local businesses mostly order their products from outside of the county.
Still, their points did little to change the minds of the many detractors that spoke inside and out of the meeting—especially on social media where even a boycott was suggested.
“This will squash sales for Hardesters. Really questionable,” a resident wrote on the Record-Bee’s Facebook page.
“Such a joke, so apparently it doesn’t matter what the people want. Why even ask our opinion?” another asked.
Ultimately, the board’s decision — which also found support from District 3 Support Jim Steele despite his seemingly contradictory rhetoric — was determined by their interpretation of one of the requirements found in Article 51A of the Zoning Ordinance that outlines the findings necessary for the approval of a Major Use Permit.
It states that a project’s permit can be granted if it’s determined to be “in conformance with the applicable provisions and policies of…any approved zoning or land use plan.”
In this case, the design guidelines in the Middletown Area Plan call for future commercial buildings that reflect the community’s values and enhance its visual character while discouraging “strip commercial development” like unimaginative architecture.
Supervisor Smith believed Cross Development, the representatives of Dollar General, satisfied this with the changes it’s made to the proposal—reducing the size of the building, modifying the façade, etc.
Meanwhile, District 4 Supervisor Anthony Farrington, who cast a “no” vote along with District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, disagreed.
“It’s my position that this project is not in conformance with the Middletown Area Plan,” Farrington said, noting that its other objectives are to expand economic activity that builds on the community’s strengths and to discourage franchise business structures or box stores. “I can’t get past that hurdle.”
In agreeing with him, Brown called for more specific area plans in the future.
“I think this is a lesson learned for future area plans,” the BOS Chair added. “We need to articulate exactly what we are looking at and not in general.”
