Milbank Dollar General Rezoning Issue Rejected by City Planning and Zoning Board/City Council

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Plans for bringing a potential new convenience store to Milbank have been put on hold until further notice due to ongoing concerns about the proposed location being considered for the new business by its developer.

Last (Monday) night, the Milbank Planning and Zoning Board met in special session to consider a rezoning request from Colby 2018, LLC, which is proposing to build a new Dollar General Store at the intersection of Highway 12 and Viola Street. The Milbank City Council also met in special session immediately afterward to make a final decision on the Planning and Zoning Commission’s recommendation.

More than 30 property owners attended a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting back on May 7th, most of whom expressed concerns about a proposal that would allow for the area under consideration to be rezoned from R-2 or general residential to B-1 or limited business. A similar turnout was reported again at last (Monday) night’s special meeting.

Lance O’Farrell, a spokesperson for Dollar General informed the Planning and Zoning Board that several measures have been outlined that would ideally make the potential new business more accommodating or neighbor friendly, per se, for everyone involved.

Roger Hoff, a former Planning and Zoning Commission member expressed opposition to the proposal. Hoff noted that a number of historical properties lie within the area being considered for the potential new development. He further noted that if the zoning request is approved, it would be a great setback in regard to maintaining the city’s overall goal of preserving the past.

After further review, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a recommendation that the Milbank City Council deny the rezoning request presented by the development firm with the matter of granting a conditional use permit and variance request being tabled until the next Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, which is scheduled for June 4th.

The board then adjourned with the Milbank City Council calling its special meeting to order to consider the recommendation made by the Planning and Zoning Board. After careful consideration, the council unanimously approved the Planning and Zoning Board’s recommendation to deny the rezoning request, as well. In making the decision, the council as a whole indicated it was in favor of bringing potential new business opportunities to the community, but not at the expense of defacing or destroying past history in the process.