A proposed Dollar General store in Long Lake Township has some concerned about a lack of public input during the approval process, especially after intense scrutiny about the same store at a nearby location just two years ago.

Township officials say there was ample opportunity for citizens to weigh in, and point out that they have limited control over what type of development can occur in areas previously zoned for it.

The Dollar General is proposed for the northwest corner of North and West Long Lake roads (pictured), just south of Wheelock & Sons Welding. The township planning commission recently approved a site plan for the project, and additional approvals are largely administrative in nature.

An online petition launched this week by a citizens group calling itself Friends for the Protection of Long Lake had more than 300 signatures as of Friday afternoon. The petition asks the township to put a moratorium on additional approvals for the store until the township’s master plan, which is being updated, is completed and adopted. Adoption of the master plan is scheduled for early 2024.

Maia Turek, a township resident and state employee who drafted the petition on behalf of the citizens group, says many township residents were caught completely off guard when they found out a Dollar General was approved for the site.

“This is a significant decision and should not just be waved through quietly,” she says. “Any dollar store, any chain…has the potential to substantially impact this township. So to have it go through without any public input just feels very weird, especially after the fact that two years ago we were very clear that we didn’t want a Dollar General here.”

Two years ago, Dollar General explored opening a store on the site of the Pilgrim Bible Holiness Church just down the road from Moomers and Fresh Coast Market. Dollar General eventually abandoned those plans, and while it’s not clear why, many township residents were sharply critical of the proposal.

Plans for the current store were discussed at earlier meetings, and Township Supervisor Ron Lemcool says the public is always encouraged to get involved in these processes.

“I highly encourage township residents to come to our meetings, whether they’re planning, zoning or regular township meetings. We don’t do any meetings without notice, and they are all on our website,” he says, adding that most township meeting documents are online as well. “I think people need to be more involved in their communities.”

The property is zoned commercial, and Lemcool further says that the township has limited control over what can or can’t go on a parcel if it meets zoning and other requirements. Other businesses – including Wheelock & Sons, a clock repair shop, and animal hospital – are already nearby.

“That’s been a business district for a long time, and the Dollar General would fit into that,” he says.

Turek and other members of the citizens group acknowledge they should have had their eye on the ball earlier in the process. But they’re not satisfied being told that it’s too late to do anything. 

“Shame on us that we weren’t paying attention, but now we are,” Turek says. “And we have more than 300 people that want to have our voices heard…we would like a special public comment opportunity that allows for multiple channels of input. Not just one day at one time, but thoughtfully scheduled sessions that allow for daytime, evening, and virtual options.”

Lee Day is another member of the citizens group. She and Turek say that regardless of the outcome of this store, their group plans to keep a much closer eye on township happenings in the future.

“Shame on us. We say that and we admit it. We should have been more active,” Day says. “What this has really done is open our eyes and encourage us to look at what the overall plan of this township is going to be.”

Among many concerns that the citizens group has already conveyed to the township, they cite a “woefully inadequate” traffic study conducted over one day in July, a study they say was commissioned and provided by Dollar General’s team.

“I drive it every day. It’s a T intersection, there’s a crest of a hill, there’s a turn lane. You just don’t go until you see no cars. You don’t go when there’s a car turning because you can’t see behind the car,” Day said. “There’s already a lot going there, and it’s not a good place to put another couple of entrances.”

Lemcool deferred comment about the traffic study to the Grand Traverse County Road Commission, which could not be reached for comment late Friday.