Nick McWilliams reporting – The potential sale of a church property and introduction of a grocery chain has some Dover residents questioning the impact.
Although no formal request for a rezoning in the neighborhood around Jessica Drive has been submitted according to Mayor Shane Gunnoe, he says the city was recently made aware of the inquiry by Aldi.
Some residents, like Gloria Miller, fear a rezoning of the property to business could lead to a changing neighborhood.
“We’re concerned about the traffic patterns, and the traffic lights on that part of Wooster Avenue. It’s very busy as it is. We have safety concerns. [At] one point, as you leave Jessica Drive, we have a hard time getting in and out of there. As soon as you pass Jessica Drive, the lanes go from two to one.”
The piece of property in question, located on Wooster, sits between the First Christian Church of Dover and the homes on the south side of Jessica Drive.
The church owns the two and a half acre plot in question, which touches eight properties on the drive. All of those property owners recently received letters about the potential change.
Sue Hartz says that she believes property values would be affected by switching from residential to commercial on that property.
“We feel that both Aldi’s and the church have alternatives. If you zone this as commercial, we have no alternatives. We’re stuck there. People who are retired won’t get as much money for their home. And housing prices are sky high right now.”
Concerned residents said that they hold no ill-will towards Aldi and the church, but asked the city to try and work with any potential developers on attempting to rezone the lot.
Gunnoe told those in attendance concerned with the early-stage proposal, and said that there would be multiple public hearings to express their side of the debate.
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