A brand-new Dollar General Store is on the horizon for Flintstone residents.
At her most recent meeting, Walker County Sole Commissioner Bebe Heiskell approved a rezoning request that will change a 5-acre piece of property at 4096 Chattanooga Valley Road from residential to commercial.
The new store, which will be constructed approximately half a mile from its current location, will be a bigger store with more fresh items on offer to area residents. Preliminary designs show no visible metal on the building, which is set to resemble Cracker Barrel restaurants.
“The existing store is not large enough and its location does not lend to delivery by 18-wheeler trucks that cannot get into the parking lot on Chattanooga Valley Road in front of the store, and [the parking lot] must be closed to traffic while they unload,” Heiskell said, explaining her reason for the rezoning. “I believe the new store will be beneficial to the community.”
Despite opposition at the first public hearing on the rezoning, there was none at the second public hearing. Heiskell mentioned at the second public hearing that some of those in opposition had asked her to postpone her decision further, but she couldn’t.
Opposition at the first meeting mostly centered around increased traffic, accessibility for elderly individuals or those with disabilities and the absence of a plan for smart growth in the community.
The property’s developer, Bobby Howard of Hibbymo Properties, has promised $10,000 worth of new sidewalks to go with the project. Originally the community had requested a walking track around the Dollar General facility but seemed less enthusiastic about it at the most recent hearing. The money that was going to go to that track will go to sidewalks instead, Heiskell said.
“The community that had concerns has now committed to working toward visioning and revitalization of the Flintstone community,” said Heiskell. “I believe it will end up being a win-win for all concerned.”
During the second hearing, Dollar General employees circulated a petition with 500 signatures in favor of the rezoning.