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New Dollar General Proposed For Walnut Hill, But In A Different Location Than Before
September 1, 2021
Developers are looking at a new location for a Dollar General Store in Walnut Hill, which would be allowed under a recent zoning change.
The store would be located at 7100 Highway 97, on the north side of the intersection of South Highway 99. There are currently two residences on the 5.3 acre property, which is across the road from a former farm supply retail business.
The Escambia County future land use category of the property is Rural Community (RC), and is it currently zoned Rural Mixed Use (RMU).
Until an update approved unanimously by the Escambia County Commission on August 19, RMU zoning only allowed commercial buildings up to 6,000 square feet with no provision whatsoever to grant any exceptions to construct a larger commercial building.
Now, retail space up to 15,000 square feet is allowed. Properties zoned as RMU in Escambia County are typically located near rural community centers and most are not currently used for agriculture. For a map of RMU zoning in Escambia County, click or tap here (pdf).
The Dollar General now proposed for Walnut Hill will be 10,640 square feet. The plan is in the early stages of potential approval by the Escambia County Development Review Committee, and there’s no guarantee that it will every be constructed after approval.
Earlier this year, Dollar General previously announced a proposal for a store about a mile away at intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 99A in Walnut Hill, next to Ernest Ward Middle School. The proposed size of the store did not meet zoning requirements at the time (but now would after the August 19 BOCC vote). Additionally, there was some minor public backlash against the store due to its location in a curve on Highway 97 and its proximity to the middle school. Plans for this store have not moved forward.
Pictured: A proposed Dollar General for Walnut Hill as presented in February 2021 by their development firm. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
13 Responses to “New Dollar General Proposed For Walnut Hill, But In A Different Location Than Before”
I for one am happy about the new Dollar General at the Walnut Hill location. It’s just seconds from my home. I’m a frequent shopper of the Dollar General stores and the prices aren’t much different than most stores. I like the convenience of a smaller store that has about most everything you need.
REGARDING:
“I have 7, yes, seven, within 5 minutes of my house. Why?”
Because the Lord blessed you
How many Dollar Generals are they going to build? I have 7, yes, seven, within 5 minutes of my house. Why?
William 2 – I have to agree with you on the excessive number of stores. I guess they want to make sure their stores cover most all areas is my take on it. I do like saving money by shopping at Dollar General. When Manna Food Bank is doing their food drive, I buy at least $30 in groceries to pack the Mayflower. They get several boxes of food – i.e. Kraft Mac n Cheese $1, Chef Boyardee $1, varieties of canned vegetables $1 and etc. I get more for my buck at Dollar General. It helps for all the times I feed the needy.
@ D H you’re probably right, but I’ve seen it before. I can understand why they are building this one, it will definitely help ghe community, there isn’t much out that way for shopping. However, where I live, there seems to be an excess, it’s convenient, but is it really necessary to have 8-10 stores in a 10 square mile area, that seems excessive and makes me curious if it’s really going to be good business in the end.
I doubt for one minute that Dollar General will be bankrupt at all. You can buy the Top Name Brand items for twice the money you pay at Walmart, Publix, Winn Dixie and Target. I’m referring to health and beauty aids, laundry soap, groceries, cleaning items, office supplies, greeting cards, home decor and seasonal decorations, kitchen utensils, bakeware and many many other items. Oh heck, the entire store is cheaper in price than elsewhere you go make purchases. Dollar General has several gas stations already in operation in other States. Nobody has to shop at Dollar General if you choose not to. But I do to save money and I shop at all Dollar General’s in Pensacola.
@EMD
With the exception of the replacement of Ernest Ward, Walnut Hill has looked the same all of my 42 years. I don’t think the building of one dollar store is going to change much. People aren’t going to flock to Walnut Hill over a Dollar General.
I wish so much that people would let the country BE the country. All my life I wanted to live in the country, and now the love of money is trying to ruin the dream. My grandfather lived in the countryside on out of Atlanta in the early fifties, and now, where he lived is engulfed by the city for miles. Makes me want to cry. I wish that those that seek wealth would LEAVE the wealth of peace and beauty that is of God its Creator for country lovers to enjoy.
The way Dollar General is throwing up all these stores, I predict that they will claim bankruptcy in the next 10 years, I’ve seen many of these businesses expand themselves right out of business.
Might as well go on and build them both $ General is as invasive as Kudzu.
It is a safer location. Many of us within 5-6 miles of this location are looking forward to having closer shopping opportunity.
The original proposal made more sense than this one.
I am glad the store will not be built next to the school, but is this location any better? This tract is on a curve on the same busy highway 97 where cars drive way over the speed limit.
If we start building stores along 97, we will need red lights and/or enforced speed limits.
Does anyone on the planning board live on 97? Have they done appropriate traffic studies?