New Seneca store granted zoning change

A new Dollar General store will be built at the corner of W-N 1st and Yarid streets in Seneca. After a hearing at City Hall, a regulatory board approved a variance to the zoning law that will allow the developers to incorporate five fewer parking spaces in their site plan than the city requires. No one from the public was present last night to speak for or against the project, though zoning administrator Ed Halbig said at least one business person near the property had expressed concern about the motor vehicle traffic that the store will create. A civil engineer told the board of zoning appeals that a 9,100 square foot Dollar General on just less than one acre of property will typically employ two workers, and he expects 31 parking spaces will be more than adequate for employees and shoppers. Board member Tammy Garland’s motion also took into account the space required to retain storm water.