Lindsay council hears plans for Dollar General store

The Lindsay city council got details Tuesday for a proposed Dollar General store.

“It’s a bit of a variety store,” said Bill Zigler, city planner, who added that the store sells products like health and beauty items, educational and teacher supplies and food.

The store would be 9,100 square feet and would be located inside the old Citrus Exchange Building located at 170 East Hermosa St. A Dollar General store opened in Porterville this summer.

It would have 14 parking spaces with two handicap spaces and a loading zone. Twenty-six additional parking spaces will be available on the west side of the store.

Two site plans were heard. Both plans use the same kind of materials which include stucco and terra cotta tiles on overhangs.

However, the first plan includes arches in the design while the second includes rectangular features.       

The council had mixed reactions.

“I appreciate that they’re having designs and bringing options. We have an opportunity to encourage businesses to come into town and provide jobs,” said Mayor Pro Tem Esteban Velasquez

Mayor Ed Murray agreed.

“It’s interesting they’re looking at options,” said Murray.

However, Councilmember Pam Kimball was not happy.

“It’s cosmetic. I’m not really satisfied. I think it would be very unattractive on Hermosa,” stated Kimball.

Rich Wilkinson, city manager, commented that there was the possibility of the building being moved.

“The way it’s built, very unlikely it’s going to be done,” added Kimball.

Zigler than asked about what changes the designers could do.

“Have it not be a rectangular box,” said Kimball.

Councilmember Danny Salinas added in his thoughts.

“They could put up a metal building and be done,” said Salinas.

Councilmember Ramona Villarreal-Padilla did not like the design either.

Murray then asked if the council had the ability to stop the building from coming in.

“No,” stated Zigler.

Public comment was then opened and speaker Virginia ‘Ginnie’ Wilson, who works with Councilmember Kimball on the Lindsay Cultural Arts Council, expressed her concerns.

“I’m very attached to it (Citrus Exchange Building). We have precious few of these designed buildings,” said Wilson, who wants it to be maintained if possible. Her other concern was the location of the building on a very busy street and the amount of traffic that would be present.

According to Zigler, the next action will be to talk to the developers about some of the changes proposed including the location of the dumpster and the alleyway.

“There will be pedestrians crossing the alley,” said Zigler who added that they wanted to somehow identify this for the cars.

“We can still mitigate the boxy look we have now. You don’t necessarily want a box downtown,” said Zigler.

After that, the developers will submit a formal site plan to the city staff who will then create a staff report and resolution. The report and resolution will be taken to the council for a vote.  According to Wilkinson, city crews are still working on Ono City Parkway, Southern California Edison (SCE) is still working on installing street lights in the park

At the Main Park ,new light fixtures are installed and will be wired up this week.
The park was slated to open at the end of September, but will now open in October.

In other action, the council:

- Approved a budget amendment for litigation settlement costs and legal fees totaling $484,463.

- Accepted the 2010-11 audited financial statements for the city and the former redevelopment agency.

- Extended the transportation agreement with the County of Tulare for fiscal year 2012-13 for Dial-A-Ride services within the city limits. The budget for this year is $82,159 which is $5,548 less than last year.

- Revoked the site plan review application for Diaz Tire.