Photo provided Hope Plan Commission members will consider a zoning change for this property at the request of developers of a Dollar Tree and Family Dollar combo store.
HOPE – The Hope Plan Commission will consider a rezoning request to allow construction of a Dollar Tree and Family Dollar combo store on the town’s south side.
The public hearing will be held during the commission’s regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the Hauser High School auditorium. Those who cannot attend are invited to submit written comments to the office of Building and Zoning Administrator Matthew Galbraith in the Hope Town Hall prior to the meeting.
On Sept. 19, Tharp Investments, Inc. of Indianapolis revealed their plans to the Hope Town Council to build a 10,000 square-foot, $2 million retail complex southeast of the intersection of Main Street (State Road 9) and South Street. If approved, the project would create about 12 part-time and full-time jobs, a Tharp representative said.
The developer is petitioning to change the current zoning of the 1.47 acres from low density single residence to a classification that allows retail business. County records state the residential property was purchased last July by Tharp from Alice and Karen Burchett.
When the project was outlined to the town council on Sept. 19, a crowd packed the room. Many expressed concern regarding the location, which consists of a large, grassy hill that rises to a house at 10021 N. State Road 9. Much of the hill will have to be graded to a level base if Tharp’s proposal is approved.
The house, which developers said will have to be torn down, has historical importance because it was built over a log cabin believed to be one of the oldest buildings in the community, retired dentist Dr. Jonathan Harker said.
Harker also said he’s worried drivers on northbound State Road 9 would not see slowed or stopped traffic in front of the store as they come over an incline until it’s too late to avoid a collision.
Another concern was that the project would create heavier traffic congestion near the corner of Main and South streets. Incoming and outgoing traffic for the two stores would use South Street, while an exit onto Main Street would be located at the southwest corner of the property, according to a conceptual site plan provided to the council.
Council member Ed Johnson said many students within the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. use the sidewalk on the east side of Main Street before and after classes. The combo store would increase the possibility of young people being struck by vehicles, he said.
The intersection is already dangerous because a good number of businesses are located along South Street, Johnson said.
Tharp vice-president Elaine Farhood said her firm reviewed every possible site in Hope before concluding the property near Main and South streets was the most optimal location.
In response, Hope businessman Gary Dodd said that while his family owns much of the property along Main Street on the town’s south side, he was unaware of inquiries being made by Tharp representatives on other potential sites.
Other residents asked whether Dollar Tree and Family Dollar would be selling the same items as the Dollar General’s DG Market at Main Street and County Road 600N that Dollar General has operated in Hope since 1999.
About 30 to 40% of the items sold at the combo store will be home goods and groceries, Farhood said. There will also be a lawn and garden area, followed by the Dollar Tree items that includes kitchenware, home decor, school supplies, pet supplies, stationary and close out merchandise, the developer said.
