A Dollar General Market is pictured on March 2 in New Winchester. Dollar General plans to build a 12,480-square-foot store in Trafalgar.
Noah Crenshaw | Daily Journal
The way is cleared for Dollar General Market to open in Trafalgar at the corner of Braxton Street and State Road 135.
The Trafalgar Board of Zoning Appeals approved the last variance the store needed to begin construction on Monday.
Building Commissioner Bryan Gregg said it’s now “official” that Dollar General Market will open in Trafalgar soon. An exact date is not set, but representatives for Dollar General said the process will move “fairly quickly.” Once construction begins, it’ll take about six months for the store to be completed and ready to open.
The company plans to build a 12,480-square-foot building that would sell items typically found at a Dollar General, but additionally fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and other foods. With no grocery stores currently in town, this will provide access to fresh food for the first time in years.
The matter before the BZA were variances for a pylon sign and 40 parking spaces for the business. The variances were approved with a commitment to have the lighted sign on a timer that turns on and off one hour before and after business hours. The BZA voted 3-0 for the variances.
Building Commissioner Bryan Gregg has been working with the developer over the past few months to “dial in specifics” of the project, he said in February.
Trafalgar has “long-awaited” a grocery option and has been meticulous in choosing what grocery option would best meet the needs of residents, Gregg said previously.
Once constructed, the DG Market will be the first commercial space built under the town’s newly established building standards. The building will be required to have a block and brick facade, window walls, awnings and green space for decorative bushes, flowers and trees. Any rooftop mechanical equipment will be required to have a decorative facade as well, Gregg said.
Also on Monday night, the Trafalgar Plan Commission voted to send the sidewalk ordinance to the town council with a favorable recommendation in a 5-0 vote. With the new ordinance, the new Dollar General will also be required to have a sidewalk around the property.
Most communities around Johnson County already require sidewalks to be built as part of new developments to increase walkability.
Taking this step to require sidewalks is another testament to the pro-activeness of current town officials, Gregg said.
“We are going to see the results of proactive efforts by the Trafalgar Planning Commission, the Trafalgar town attorney Jacob Bowman and the Trafalgar Town Council in this project’s execution,” Gregg said.
