New store pursues location in Bethel Township

Dollar General attempted to secure a spot in Bethel Twp. in 2015, but concerned residents halted the attempt.

Now Dollar General is back, once again looking to build but this time along West National Road in Springfield.

Residents originally did not support the building of a Dollar General store in the farmland area originally proposed due to concerns that it could lead to possible flooding of nearby properties. After community members voiced their concerns the issue was put to rest, said Nancy Brown, chairwoman of the Bethel Twp. trustees.

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There was no talk about revisiting the original idea until the rezoning request was submitted.

The area on West National Road that is being pursued for the location of the Dollar General was already zoned for commercial use because a market had been located on the two-acre location several years ago. However, due to water retention concerns, they are looking to modify the current zoning again.

The other issue the Dollar General will have to deal with is putting in their own sewer system.

“I would think that the impact would be a positive one and that it would be a convenience for the people who live in the vicinity,” Brown said.

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One community member is strongly against the development but has not submitted any comment, Brown said.

“We haven’t had people come to our meetings and oppose it,” Brown added. “We’ve had a couple inquires, though those were more along the lines of ‘What are they doing there?’.”

“I know dollar stores do their work before they locate their stores, and if the dollar store came back twice, then they really must see a need and chance for business,” Brown said.

That rezoning final decision will be made by the Clark County Commissioners Wednesday, Aug. 2. The commissioners will get to see what the rural zoning board decided and hear a summary of their discussion. Commissioner Richard Lohnes added that they have not seen a lot of negativity surrounding the project.

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