Milford Planning Commission approved a proposed Dollar General on Rehoboth Boulevard near the Windward on the River development. The retail store has met with resistance from area residents. The Board of Adjustments denied a request to reduce parking spaces from 54 to 48, but the applicant has the right to come before Planning Commission to seek a reduction in spaces as long as they set aside space for 100 percent of the required area.
“If agreed to by the City, the developer may be permitted to set aside space to accommodate 100 percent of the area necessary to provide parking, but not be required to construct more than 80 percent of the required spaces,” Rob Pierce, City Planner, said. “In the event the developer is permitted to construct fewer than the required parking spaces, the remainder of the parking area set aside must be kept free of all construction and be planted and maintained as a grassy area and designated as Future Parking Space on the site plan.”
Pierce stated that the city may require construction of the remaining parking spaces at any time in the future, giving the owner not less than six months advance written notice.
“Improvements we plan to make along the frontage is a sidewalk along Rehoboth Boulevard which will connect an existing sidewalk to Windward,” Cliff Mumford, Davis Bowen & Friedel engineer, said. “There has been some confusion about Deep Branch Plaza. For the public’s benefit, Deep Branch Plaza is planned for the north side of Windward Boulevard. It was approved as part of the Windward on the River apartments. It just has not gotten off the ground yet. It will be a mix of retail, office and restaurant spaces.”
Mumford explained that there would be space allocated for future parking but until it was needed, Dollar General would create a grassy area in the same location. Mumford stated that Scott Grimes, the Senior Plan Coordinator for Dollar General, pointed out that the company had refined the design of its retail stores over the years and have gathered a significant amount of data showing that stores use only 50 percent of their parking spaces at peak hours.
“I know this is a site plan application, but I think it is worth noting that this piece of land is surrounded by other properties we own,” Nick Ammons, a principal developer said. “We are heavily invested in the town of Milford and the architecture of this site is very important to us. I know we’ve probably all driven past Dollar Generals that I certainly would not be proud of, but it is particularly important for us to do things we are proud of.”
Commissioner Jim Purcell asked if there was a consideration to lower the speed limit on Rehoboth Boulevard. Mumford stated that would be determined when left and right turn lanes were added to the area.
“We do have a new restaurant there and several other commercial businesses there,” Purcell said. “I think it’s worthy to note that we do need commercial on the south end of town. This is not just a small Dollar General, you would offer produce and things of that nature?”
Ammons indicated they would, and Purcell pointed out that traffic lights may be warranted, again reiterating that the speed may need to be lowered. Purcell also pointed out that even if Planning Commission approved it, the final approval would come from City Council. Commission Chairman Marvin Sharp asked if this request was just because they did not feel they needed all that parking.
“If we have to build the parking required by code, which is going to be unused parking, it is just more surface that is a waste of money and would require a larger stormwater pond,” Mumford said.
Pierce explained that the parking spaces they planned to construct were compliant with code.
The application was approved with a vote of 5 to 1 with Commissioner Shelby DiCostanzo casting the only no vote. There was no public comment on the request and it will now go to City Council for final approval.
