There could soon be a major roadblock for potential development of dollar store-type businesses in Mauldin.
Mauldin is weighing whether to implement more stringent regulations on this type of development after the city's Planning Commission this week passed an amendment to the city zoning ordinance for the City Council to now consider.
The zoning update would restrict development of "small box variety stores" in the city's central redevelopment district, C-1 commercial districts and C-2 highway commercial district, except as a conditional use.
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The conditional use regulations in the ordinance update state that small box variety stores can't be located within one mile of any other small box variety store inside or outside Mauldin city limits, using a straight line measurement between store lots.
The ordinance defines a "small box variety store" as a "retail store typically 15,000 square feet or less that sells at retail an assortment of physical goods, products, or merchandise directly to the consumer, including food or beverages for off-premise consumption, household products, personal grooming and health products, and other consumer goods." Stores that are larger than 15,000 feet are "not necessarily excluded" from that definition if they still have the other characteristics the ordinance describes and the "intent of the associated regulations" applies.
The intent of the zoning update is "to limit over-concentration of small box variety stores and to allow for more diverse retail options and convenient access to fresh meats, fruits and vegetables," as described in the ordinance.
The ordinance also states that "small box variety stores" don't include stores that:
- Contain a prescription pharmacy
- Sell gasoline or diesel fuel
- Primarily sell specialty food items (e.g. meat, seafood, cheese, or oils and vinegars);
- Dedicate at least 15% of shelf space to fresh or fresh frozen foods
- Dedicate less than 5% of shelf space to food sales.
One of the companies that would be affected by this decision, Dollar General Corp., is opposed to the zoning update, spokesperson Crystal Ghassemi said. The company planned to add a third location in Mauldin, but this amendment to the law could prevent it, she said.
“Blocking our ability to come in and add a third location is blocking our ability to come in and add local jobs and career opportunities," Ghassemi said. “We’re really proud to serve Mauldin. We have two stores there, we have a number of employees."
Ghassemi said the zoning update also harms consumer choice and said its products and pricing are especially essential amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Greenville News has also reached out to the South Carolina Retail Association for comment on this potential zoning ordinance update in Mauldin.
One of the voices on the other side of the issue is Mauldin resident and City Council candidate Jason Kraeling, who spoke in favor of the ordinance at the Planning Commission meeting this week.
"The City of Mauldin has worked diligently for years to try to develop a coherent plan for its downtown area. We are now close to having a walkable downtown with locally owned independent businesses and restaurants," Kraeling told The Greenville News. "The ordinance is designed to promote the vision of what Mauldin can be, and cold, industrial, discount, small box chain stores on every block conflicts with that vision."
The ordinance will require two readings from City Council to pass. The next regular meeting of Mauldin City Council is scheduled for Monday, July 15. An agenda for that meeting has not been released.
This ordinance follows a six-month moratorium the city imposed on this type of development earlier this year. When the moratorium was introduced in January, the city cited a "potential saturation of discount stores within the city" due to the presence of several discount stores located within a two-mile radius of Mauldin City Hall.
You can connect with reporter Gabe Cavallaro on Twitter @gabe_cavallaro or facebook.com/cavallarogabe or email him at gcavallaro@greenvillenews.com.
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