Mayor hears frustration over Dollar General Market proposal for city's southeast side

Citing a zoning classification set in 2006, Second Circle Investments, LLC, believes a Dollar General Market will be successful near the intersection of McKay Road and Progress Parkway in Shelbyville.

At the February Board of Zoning Appeals meeting at City Hall, attorney Briane House requested a special zoning variance on behalf of the Carmel-based Second Circle Investments to create a 10,640 square foot building for a Dollar General Market – larger than typical Dollar General stores.

Because the Business Neighborhood zoning classification was established 18 years ago as part of the Twin Lakes subdivision planned unit development, Second Circle Investments needs a special variance to construct a building larger than 10,000 square feet on the property.

Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson has heard many complaints from residents on the city’s southeast side that are opposed to the project.

“I don’t know if it’s a problem for the city,” said Furgeson earlier this week. “I mean it’s a problem for the residents that feel that way but it was originally zoned and there were hearings back then (in 2006) when it was zoned that way. It’s not something we can go out and change now even if we wanted to.

“Say we looked at it before anything wanted to build there and we wanted to change the zoning on it, we could not do it without the authority of the property owner. Then it’s an adverse condemnation of the property. We would have to buy the property and the potential profits of what they could make selling it. I don’t think we’re in that property game.”

Residents from the Twin Lakes subdivision and Southern Trace subdivision, located directly south of the proposed market, addressed their concerns before the five-member Board of Zoning Appeals at its Feb. 13 meeting at City Hall.

Traffic issues, safety issues and the need for a third Dollar General within city limits were all discussed.

There is a Dollar General located at 315 E. Broadway and another at 951 Miller Avenue. The ownership of both stores does not match with Second Circle Investments, according to information available at the Shelby County GIS map.

“It’s the connotation of the Dollar General,” agreed Furgeson when asked if the company’s public reputation was an issue. “Now it if was the Five Hundred Dollar Store or the Five Dollar Store, it would be different. If it was Five Below, I think people would welcome it. I do think it’s the Dollar General that bothers people the most.”

A “market” attached to a neighborhood or firmly entrenched in a residential area in not a new concept. Decades earlier a market would service several surrounding neighborhoods. The Dollar General Market carries not only traditional dry goods selections associated with a typical Dollar General but also features refrigerated coolers for expanded shopping options.

So why is Dollar General bringing another storefront to Shelbyville? Furgeson knows the answer.

“It all goes back to our median income,” he said. “That’s the whole conversation that no one likes to add. The city didn’t go out and recruit a Dollar General. We don’t really go out and recruit businesses.

“Our goal and our job is to get us in better shape than we are in now. The median income drives all our retail and restaurants, and our median income is $15,000 lower than Franklin and Greenfield. So we don’t get the choices that they get. So that’s important.”

According to the Shelby County GIS map, available to view at the city’s website, www.cityofshelbyvillein.com, the Dollar General on Miller Avenue sits on a 2.6-acre tract. The building occupies the front half of the property.

So could that store be converted into a Dollar General Market and service a part of the city where there is a greater need?

“We would love for them to put it on the corner of Miller Avenue and McKay Road but, unfortunately, we don’t have that control,” said Furgeson.

The only real power the city will have over the project is enforcing code violations once it is operational.

“This is a perfect example of no one pays attention until it’s in my backyard,” said Furgeson. “As a public, we all do it. We don’t pay attention. You get excited about buying a house and you don’t do your due diligence and realize maybe something will be there one day.”

The nearly two-hour BZA meeting ended with the discussion of the Dollar General Market project continued to its March meeting so the board can further research the types of restrictions it could put in place before the project moves forward.

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