The Eupora Board of Aldermen has tabled consideration of a rezoning request and scheduled a related public hearing.
The board voted May 2 to rezone lots 13, 14, 20 and 21 of Block No. 2 Hays Subdivision, which are located at 2175 and 2189 W. Roane Ave., from R-2 to C-2. The motion was approved 4-1; Jerry Gary (at-large) voted nay.
The zoning classification is proposed to change from Medium-Density Residential District to Highway Commercial District for commercial purposes. A public hearing to determine whether or not the request should be approved was set for June 6. Final adoption of the zoning amendments was to be further considered at the regular monthly meeting that followed.
The hearing was held that date, however, it was unofficial because the city did not publish a notice of it in the Progress-Times. During the regular meeting that followed, the board voted 5-0 to table the rezoning request, set a second public hearing for 5:30 p.m. July 5 and republish the hearing notice. That notice was published June 15 and 22.
The lots are on the north side of West Roane (Highway182) and are bordered by Dunlap Street on the east side. They are just east of the Eupora Civic Center (old armory).
Mayor Blake McMullan said Southern Retail Development LLC of West Point requested the rezoning to commercial. He identified the property owners as William "Daniel" Bingham (2175 W. Roane) and Curtis "Eudy" Morris (2189 W. Roane and 41 Dunlap St., where two vacant houses are located).
Southern Retail Development, according to testimony at the hearing, plans to build a new Dollar General store at that location. Dollar General now has a store in Eupora on East Roane next to Piggly Wiggly.
The applicant seeking to reclassify the property in question must prove that “the character of the neighborhood has changed to such an extent as to justify rezoning and that public need exists for rezoning,” according to the legal standard provided by the city.
At least eight people at the hearing voiced opposition to the proposed rezoning. They included Dr. Jack Huffman, who said the neighborhood should remain classified as residential.
Jason and Angela White, who live across from the site, said they were concerned about the safety of the neighborhood and children from heavier foot traffic if the store was built. They also expressed concerns about property values.
Julie Garrett, who lives nearby and has two sons, also had concerns about foot traffic and the safety of children in the neighborhood. Concerns were also voiced about increased traffic from motor vehicles and the safety of children walking to school.
Many asked why Dollar General doesn’t build a new store in an area already zoned commercial, such as Highway 9 South.
Janet Cook, a member of the Eupora Economic Development, spoke in favor of the rezoning. She said other commercial property is located nearby and that placing a Dollar General there would help the underserved community.
Robert Calvin Mays of West Clark Street said the lots are “right in my back yard” and that he has no problem with building a Dollar General there. He expressed confidence in the police and sheriff’s departments in regard to potential safety concerns, and said the new store would create jobs.
“It’s an asset to Churchill,” Mays said. “We should be coming together to improve our community.”
Bingham, the aforementioned landowner, said he was told by the tax assessor’s office that the rezoning would not hurt property values.
