August 3rd Agenda: Zoning Atlas Amendment (Dollar General)

[Bob Johnson]

Hi Orange County Planning Board,

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed rezoning of 3036 White Cross rd from Agricultural Residential to Commercial.  While at a 100,00 foot view this may look like it fits with other commercial zoning at/near the intersection with Hwy 54, I believe it sets a bad precedent.

While this is not in the Rural Buffer, it is on the Western edge.  The Rural Buffer was intended to be a residential/light farming buffer to help prevent the sprawl of cities into the larger farming areas of the county.  It was not meant to be a simply buffer between cities and more commercial areas in the county.  We need to preserve the rural nature of rural Orange County as best we can.  Keep commercial areas in the cities, and along the interstates.  Just because a neighboring parcel is zoned commercial doesn;t mean this parcel should slo be zoned commercial.  That slope gets slippery a bit too fast.

And perhaps more importantly - Dollar General, really?  They have a store five miles away that is closed half the time already.  They offer only stupid platci stuff that will overflow landfills, and highly processed food that is a pox on the health of humans.  Living wage employer?  Oh hell no.  There is a very good reason municipalities across the nation have passed anti-dollar store regulations.

Please do all you can to push back on this request.  It is terrible for the citizenry of Orange County.

Bob Johnson

Owner, Madurobob's Luthiery, Thompson Mill Woodworks

Host, WHUP Pass The Hat

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