DG store considered for historic neighborhood

At Harrison’s city council meeting of committees held on Thursday, June 13, a discussion took place over the proposed rezoning of 807 and 809 S. Pine Street – with zoning to change from C-2 to C-3. The rezone request was made to allow for a Dollar General store at the location where residential structures are now standing.
The rezoning request already passed through the city’s planning commission in May. The June council committees meeting gave the city council the opportunity to publicly discuss the proposal and the community an opportunity to respond.
Several residents expressed their concerns about the proposal to the council. Neighbors to the Pine Street properties shared that they felt the rezoning and introduction of a Dollar General to the street would have a negative impact on the neighborhood.
Donna Holcomb, who lives across the street from the area where the store location has been proposed, shared with the council that she is concerned about the amount of traffic the store would bring. Holcomb stated that her own home had been wrecked into in December and that traffic moves too quickly on the street.
Another resident of the street, Linda Pumphrey, told the council that she herself enjoys shopping at “dollar stores” but that she does not agree with the plan to put one in the historic neighborhood. Pumphrey proposed that such a business would be better suited for buildings already designed for commercial use — such as the vacant White Oak Station located across from the Camp Jack building. Mayor Jerry Jackson later responded that the White Oak building was already under renovation for reopening.
Mary Hickman also took a turn speaking her mind to the council, “South Pine Street is the most historic street in all of Harrison,” she said. “It’s a very important street. There are more buildings on the street that contribute to being historic than don’t. Are there some eye sores? Yes, there are, but tearing them down and putting in a building that’s not zoned for what it's zoned for is exactly what zoning is supposed to protect us from when we buy our homes and put all of our sweat equity into them for years, and years, and years,” said Hickman.

Another community member then took to the podium to share his opinion — Paul Harp, who said that he and his brother are the owners of the properties that are up for rezoning. He explained that the properties have been for sale for “a couple of years,” and that they were approached by Dollar General who showed interest in buying the properties.
“We were excited because it was important for us that the property goes to something that helps support the neighborhood,” Harp said. “Dollar General does that — I researched Dollar General, I’m also a shareholder and have been for a while. They support biblical principles. They keep a nice outside and a clean outside. They’re good neighbors.” Harp also stated that he understands the safety concerns of his neighbors on Pine Street but that he believes those concerns will be addressed as the process moves forward.
Council members discussed the proposal among themselves and with city engineer Wade Phillips as well. Phillips informed the council that all property owners within 200 feet of the proposed zone change were appropriately notified.
At the end of the discussions, the council voted to move the issues forward for the Thursday, June 27, city council meeting. The meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in the city council chambers of City Hall at 118 Industrial Park Road in Harrison.
The public is invited to attend the meeting — and all regular city council meetings. Anyone wishing to address the council must sign in with their name and item to be discussed prior to the meeting — a sign-up sheet is made available at the meeting. Comments regarding items located on the meeting’s agenda will be limited to three minutes. Citizen comments on other matters will be at or near the end of the meeting and will be limited to two minutes.