Dollar General Market Can Proceed with New Location in McDonough

Photo shows fresh produce and refrigerated items for sale in a Dollar General (Dollar General photo).
(Dollar General photo)

A land owner plans to construct a new Dollar General Market on Avalon Parkway after receiving site plan approval. The subject property has had commercial zoning since 2005.

The ’05 conditions required the city review a concept site plan before construction can commence. This process concluded at the March 18 council meeting.

Dollar General Market on Avalon Parkway

Jason Fritz of SW West McDonough, LLC intends to construct new retail space on Avalon Parkway. His company will then lease the building to Dollar General Market. This would be the first DG Market within Henry County. DG Markets offer fresh produce and expanded cooler section, in contrast to a typical Dollar General location.

The new store measures 10,640 square feet. It is located on 1.41 acres. The subject property is on the west side of Avalon Parkway, between Pioneer Parkway and Haworth Parkway. This is at the entrance to Cottages @ Avalon.

The applicant originally presented their request in November. The council delayed their decision to allow more dialogue with residents and the applicant. They held a community meeting in February to further discuss the project. As part of the conversations, the applicant agreed to the following supplemental conditions:

  • No outdoor storage, to include ice machine, propane gas, merchandise, etc.
  • Downcast site lighting
  • “No outlet” signage to be displayed at both site entrances
  • “No right turn” signage to be displayed at the Haworth Parkway entrance
  • Brick enclosed trash compactor
  • Operational surveillance cameras on all four corners of building
  • Applicant will pay the costs to install one FLOCK camera, in addition to the four surveillance cameras referenced above.
  • Stonework on the property will match the Cottages at Avalon entrance monument

The above conditions are in addition to any conditions stipulated in 2005. The property was part of the Avalon master planned development.

Council & Community Opposition

Several council members expressed opposition to the proposed store. Residents from the adjacent neighborhood also spoke against the project. Because the property already had commercial zoning, the council was not deciding whether retail was an appropriate use for the location. Instead, they had to vote whether the site plan met the zoning conditions as identified in 2005.

The city council voted 4–3 to approve the concept site plan. Mayor Vincent, council members Payton, Reeves and Stewart voted in favor of the motion. Council members Burt, Thomas and Varner voted in opposition. During the vote, Mayor Vincent expressed the sentiment the city had made ”as close to lemonade as possible” with the “lemons” they were given.

Featured image shows fresh produce within a Dollar General store. Dollar General photo.

About Clayton 1745 Articles
Clayton Carte is the founder and owner of The Henry Reporter. He founded the site in 2017 to highlight transportation projects. Over time, he began covering other topics like new development so residents can best know what’s happening in our community.

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