Ridgeway planning board approves Champs Mini Mart sign and addresses Dollar General complaints

The Town of Ridgeway Planning Board on April 7 approved a sign permit for Champs Mini Mart and discussed multiple complaints about the Dollar General property on Ridge Road.

Kathy Blackburn moved to approve the sign permit application for Champs Mini Mart at 11279 Ridge Road; Richard Fisher seconded the motion, which passed with all members in favor. The board's approval covered the application as submitted.

Code Enforcement Officer Dan Wolfe reported that residents had complained that garbage from the Dollar General property was blowing into the field behind the store and that two pine trees planted under the site plan review were dead. Wolfe said the store manager told him a cleanup crew would be sent and that the manager requested a violation letter to make replacement of the trees easier. Wolfe suggested installing a corral to contain trash behind the store.

Wolfe also said a company called Take Form contacted the town about redoing a rooftop sign; after Wolfe read the town's local sign law the board concluded the work appears to be maintenance rather than a new sign requiring a permit.

Why it matters: the board's actions affect visual character and code compliance for commercial properties along Ridge Road. Approvals and code-enforcement follow-up influence whether businesses repair, replace or maintain landscaping and site features required under prior approvals.

Next steps: Dan Wolfe will follow up with the Dollar General manager about cleanup and the requested violation letter; town staff will record the approved sign permit for Champs Mini Mart in the town files.