Dollar General planning new store in Midwest City
Dollar General is planning to open a new store near N. Air Depot Blvd. and NE 10th St. in Midwest City. Photo provided
Planning Commission recommends project on Air Depot Blvd.
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
Dollar General is looking to expand in Midwest City.
The low-cost retailer plans to build a new store at 920 N. Air Depot Blvd., located just south of NE 10th St.
The property owner, Justin Dill – DJD Realty, LLC, is asking Midwest City to rezone the property from residential (R-6) to a simplified planned unit development.
Last week, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning application during their monthly meeting.
Several residents opposed the development over concerns about traffic, demand for another discount retail store, and potential other uses for the property.
According to a preliminary site plan, a 12,000-square-foot store would be built near the northeast corner of N. Air Depot Blvd. and W. Blueridge Dr. with entrances onto both roadways. A six-foot tall fence would provide privacy for nearby residents.
The developer also asked for a smaller parking lot and larger sign. They are asking for a reduction in the required number of parking spaces from 60 to 35. The application also includes a five-foot sign, as opposed to the four-foot requirement.
A handful of residents spoke against the project.
Dennis Roberts, a resident, said there are too many discount retailers in the area and questioned what would happen to the building if Dollar General went out of business.
“How many of these dollar stores do we really need?” he said.
Jeff Fluker, a resident, said business will be too close to houses and create more traffic on local streets.
“I don’t want my house to turn into the backyard of a Dollar General,” he said. “…It’s just not the direction that I think Midwest City wants to go.”
Rick Dawkins, planning commissioner, does not think the business would increase traffic. He used to live nearby and had similar concerns when a large apartment was built.
“We were scared to death, but it really didn’t make a difference,” he said.
Attorney David Box told the planning commission that they met with residents during a community meeting the night before. He said the applicant agreed to revise their zoning application to allow only for uses necessary for a Dollar General.
Hinton said he’s still concerned about what happens if the Dollar General closes.
“If this goes out, who is the next guy that comes in,” he said. “Would they need to follow the same restrictions?”
Matthew Summers, director of planning and zoning, said the revised design statement would not allow other uses such as a gas station.
“As long as it’s a retail use, they’d be allowed by right, but any other use they would come back to this body to revise the SPUD for a new use,” he said.
The item passed by a 6-1 vote with Hinton casting the lone no vote.
The city council will consider the item at the Feb. 25 meeting.
Dollar General has four locations in Midwest City. It opened its newest location near Reno Ave. and Anderson Rd. in 2019.
