In a 4-0 straw vote with one abstention, Wright’s Planning Board has approved the long-discussed Dollar General.
Next, attorney John Lyons will write up the decision—the Planning Board’s “story”—for an official vote on January 14.
The draft, Mr. Lyons said, is already about 20 pages; the “story” will detail everything the Planning Board considered over the past two-plus years.
Though there was some discussion over whether Mr. Lyons could write it both ways—yes and no—he said it needs to include a list of reasons, so no.
“There’s a lot of input to consider here,” Planning Board chair Evan Motschmann said. “It’s a tough thing to swallow, and I understand, board.
“I wake up at night…this has the potential to change the town, but then I go through all we’re gone through, the review, and I don’t think there’s a good enough ground for the Planning Board to stand on to disagree and have it over-ruled.
“It hurts.”
Planning Board member Bill Lee abstained, said he wants to review everything they’ve done one more time.
That’s a good idea—for all of them, Mr. Motschmann said.
In addition to Mr. Motschmann, Planning Board members Craig Blevins, Kim Shoemaker, and Bill Fonda voted yes.
The straw vote followed a public hearing; about a dozen Wright residents spoke, overwhelmingly opposing the project in arguments most had made before.
Connie Skinner was one who supports the Dollar General.
There’s no place in Wright for quick trips for beads and milk, she said, and a young neighbor who lives near the site is hoping to get a job there—another plus, she said.
While no one mentioned the property taxes the store will be paying, based on information with the town assessor and County Real Property, the Planning Board estimates them at $20,000-$30,000 annually.
But that’s selling Wright short, said other neighbors who repeated their concerns over speeding traffic, loss of farmland, and trash.
“Is Dollar General a need? It’s not. It’s a want,” said Jeff Senecal.
George Kramer shared photos of the Dollar General in Schenectady, littered with trash, as well as a photo by the Dollar General in Duanesburg, with porta-potties parked out front.
What’s to stop something like that from happening in Wright? he asked.
Travis Loden asked who’s going to enforce both construction of the project and maintenance of the site afterwards—the answer is the town’s Code Enforcement Officer; also, Dollar General, he said, “is the largest OSHA violator, bar none. That’s who we’re looking to do business with.”
Frank Weber, who lives next-door to the site, echoed the enforcement concerns and criticized the Planning Board for dismissing the importance of the Comprehensive Plan and local history.
The County Planning Commission approved the project with modifications that require lighting and landscaping be completed before the store opens and that the town asks DOT for a speed study.
Planning Board members said they have no problem with either.