DuPont neighbors raise fence, privacy and trespass concerns over planned Dollar General site

Residents near the proposed Dollar General site in DuPont asked the Jefferson County Planning Commission to require a fence along the property's rear and sides to separate the store from adjacent yards.

Ralph Burge, who said he lives at 10621 N. 700 W., told commissioners he had experienced trespass from people coming across from the nearby trailer court and that a new store behind his property could make that worse unless a fence was installed. Darryl Hyde, who identified himself as living at 10631 N. 700 W., said he was concerned about trash, pets being abandoned in the area and losing views and quiet that drew him to move to the country.

Commission staff reported they have followed up with the Dollar General builder and said the developer indicated plans to install a six-foot privacy fence on the rear and portions of the side yards; staff said the parking area would remain open and that a continuous fence around the entire lot was unlikely because of vehicle access. The chair noted that the board checks mail-postmark dates for public-notice compliance and that affected residents could still address the county commissioners at a separate meeting; staff pointed to the planning commission's recommendation role in the zoning change process.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the DuPont zoning matter at the meeting. Staff said commissioners who decide the zoning change at a separate meeting would provide another opportunity for public comment and that additional hearings would be scheduled when a formal ordinance proposal is published.

The discussion included reminders about public-notice procedures (mail postmark used by the county) and guidance on where to raise concerns if residents wanted to press the issue to the county commissioners.