Council rejects rezoning request for Dollar General near Old Pardue and Camp Creek; residents cited traffic and neighborhood character concerns

Lancaster County Council denied a rezoning request that would have changed approximately 2.1 acres at the intersection of Old Pardue and Camp Creek roads from Low Density Residential (LDR) to Neighborhood Business (NB), a change the applicant said was intended to allow construction of a Dollar General store.

The rezoning failed after public testimony and council discussion. Supporters argued the store would provide convenient retail and respond to residential growth; opponents said the site is already near multiple Dollar General locations, that the intersection is unsafe for increased commercial traffic and that a small neighborhood’s historic character would be harmed.

What was proposed

- Applicant: Coastal Development Partners (represented by Greg Googer) sought rezoning of a small corner parcel to allow a neighborhood retail store — the applicant said the access would be from Old Pardue Road and that the location was chosen to serve growing nearby residential areas.

Public comment highlights

- Greg Googer, applicant: said curb access would be on Old Pardue Road where a stop sign slows traffic and that the store would bring convenience to an area seeing residential growth.

- Keith Sterling (nearby resident): "I live less than a quarter mile from the site… I do not support it," Sterling said, emphasizing safety concerns at the intersection, a narrow shoulder and that "there are 6 Dollar Generals within 5 and a half miles of that site. How many do we need?" He added concerns about vandalism and the effect of a commercial store on neighborhood charm.

Council action and outcome

- Councilmember Harper recused himself from this item due to a disclosed contract relationship. After public comment and council discussion, a motion to approve the rezoning failed by a recorded vote (motion failed 6–0). The clerk recorded opposition by the council majority, resulting in denial of the rezoning request.

Why this mattered

- The vote preserves the parcel's residential zoning and leaves future commercial access to additional rezoning petitions or alternative sites. Councilmembers referenced constituent opposition and traffic safety as decisive factors.

Speakers

- Greg Googer, applicant (Coastal Development Partners) - Keith Sterling, resident (opponent) - Council member Harper (recused) - Council member Graham (participated in discussion) - Council member McGriff (participated in discussion)

Authorities

- ordinance: rezoning request to amend the official zoning map (agenda item referenced as Ordinance 2025-51957 on the docket)

Actions

- {"kind":"other","identifiers":{"agenda_item_id":"8C","ordinance_number":"2025-51957"},"motion":"Approve rezoning of ~2.1 acres at Old Pardue and Camp Creek from LDR to Neighborhood Business to permit a Dollar General","mover":"Council member Graham (moved to bring to floor)","second":"Council member McGriff (second)","vote_record":[],"tally":{"yes":0,"no":6,"abstain":0,"absent":1,"recused":1},"legal_threshold":{"met":false,"notes":"Motion failed; rezoning denied"},"outcome":"failed","notes":"Council vote resulted in denial after public opposition and safety concerns; one councilmember recused"}

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Council heard both the applicant’s explanation of access and local convenience arguments and residents’ safety and character objections. - Decision: Rezoning was denied by council vote; the parcel remains LDR.

Clarifying details

- Parcel size: approximately 2.1 acres (site area stated in staff presentation). - Applicant access plan: curb cut proposed on Old Pardue Road (applicant statement). - Nearby commercial density: several existing Dollar General stores within a ~5-mile radius noted by an opponent.

Proper names

- Coastal Development Partners (applicant) - Dollar General (proposed tenant) - Lancaster County (jurisdiction)

Provenance

- {"block_id":"block_2966.135","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"public hearing and first reading of ordinance 20 20 five-nineteen 57. An ordinance to amend the official zoning map of Lancaster County to rezone approximately 2.1 acres, which is located at the intersection of Old Pardue And Camp Creek Roads from low density residential district to neighborhood business district for the purpose of constructing a Dollar General on the site.","reason_code":"topicintro"} - {"block_id":"block_3752.9","local_start":0,"local_end":200,"evidence_excerpt":"We have all discussion. Do we have all those in favor, please raise your right hand. All those opposed, like, sign. The motion fails 6 to 0.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}

Topics

- {"name":"zoning","justification":"Rezoning request for neighborhood commercial use at a residential intersection","scoring":{"topic_relevance":1.00,"depth_score":0.70,"opinionatedness":0.05,"controversy":0.60,"civic_salience":0.70,"impactfulness":0.50,"geo_relevance":1.00}}

Community relevance

- Geographies: Old Pardue / Camp Creek area, Lancaster County - Impact groups: immediate neighbors, small-business/retail market in the area

Meeting context

- Engagement level: multiple public speakers, applicant present, recusal declared by one council member, formal vote taken. - Implementation risk: none (rezoning denied)

Searchable tags

["rezoning","Dollar General","Old Pardue","Camp Creek","Lancaster County"]

Salience

- overall:0.65, overall_justification:"Local zoning decision with clear neighborhood safety and character concerns; outcome denies new commercial use.","attention_level":"medium","attention_level_justification":"Citizens and councilmembers raised safety and character issues; recusal noted."