By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

On October 9 the Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review Commission unanimously granted conditional approval to the site plan which was submitted for a free-standing Dollar Tree store at the corner of Main Street and Indian Mound Parkway.

There was no public comment. While recognizing that the commission’s role does not include evaluation of the viability of a planned business, commissioner Carol McCormick inquired as to whether the applicants are aware that there is already a Dollar General on the east side of town. Brad Marquardt, public works director, indicated that originally Dollar Tree had considered a property across the street from Dollar General, but the site was not found to be satisfactory for the construction. Marquardt remarked that the Dollar Tree representative stated that they’re like Walgreens and CVS, in that they like to be located close to a competitor’s building. A Dollar Tree store was located in the strip mall on Main Street a number of years ago. Their previous location is now leased by Anytime Fitness.

The only conditions the commission placed on the approval was that the landscaping plan be submitted and approved by the Urban Forestry Commission, that the lighting plan be submitted and approved by the city staff, and that the driveway on Main Street be reduced, per code, to 35 feet instead of 37 feet.