Dollar General, who plans to construct a new store on Rehoboth Boulevard, committed to participate in the Southeast Milford Transportation District (TID) rather than conduct a Traffic Impact Study. Milford City Council approved the agreement at a recent meeting.
“It is a three-way agreement between any development in that area, the State of Delaware and the City of Milford,” City Planner Rob Pierce said. “They agree to pay into a fund that will fund future projects, future improvements for that area. This is related to the future Dollar General which is nearing final site plan approval by the city.”
The state requires that the developer and the city sign off on the agreement. Pierce explained this was not related to approval of the project, but just to allow the city, the developer and the state to sign the agreement. The developer will pay the funds necessary at the time a building permit is issued.
A TID is a proactive land use plan that also looks at needed infrastructure improvements. TID’s are found in locations identified as appropriate for development in the Comprehensive Plan. By coordinating land use and transportation, infrastructure costs are lowered and planning is streamlined for market-ready development or redevelopment opportunities.
The property where the Dollar General will be constructed was zoned commercial in July 2021 when Walter and Sharon Feindt requested a zoning change and annexation of the property. A public hearing was held at that time with no opposition or support at the time. The Feindt’s explained that the land was under contract for purchase by Windward on the River and Deep Branch Plaza, a retail establishment planned for the area.
“The annexation committee approved the annexation but were opposed to the zoning change by a vote of two to one,” Pierce said at the time. “The Planning Commission voted to approve the annexation along with the zoning change with a vote of four to zero.”
City Council approved the zoning and annexation with a vote of four to three. Then-Councilmen Mike Boyle and Brian Baer as well as sitting Councilman Dan Marabello voted no to the change.
There was significant public outcry against the construction of Dollar General in that area with residents preferring more high-end options.
Dollar General opened in 1955 in Springfield, Kentucky, founded by J.L. Turner and his son Cal Turner, Sr. The retail giant revolutionized retail with an initial business plan that no item in the store would cost more than one dollar. The company was acquired by KKR for $6.9 billion in the early 2000s. The “one dollar” focus shifted to include higher priced items, but they kept the dollar focus. Today, Dollar General focuses on convenience, targeting small towns that larger retailers tend to overlook.
