A permit to sell beer and wine was approved by Pea Ridge Planning Commissioners Tuesday, Nov. 1.
There was one objection voiced to the conditional use permit requested by Dollar General officials to sell beer and wine.
Resident Judy Meredith said she thought there were restrictions about alcohol being sold near a church. (Dollar General is immediately west of a church.)
"It doesn't apply to beer and wine," Tony Townsend, city building official, said, "but to liquor by the drink and liquor."
"Then I would like to oppose," Meredith said.
There were no other objections raised during the four-minute public hearing.
Mary Jane Reed with Dollar General told planners that there was no plan for construction but that there would be rearranging inside the store.
"There is a one-foot section where we have chips. They'll go away and we'll put beer and wine there," Reed said.
Planner M.J. Hensley asked Reed about whether store officials had considered improving the parking lot and flow of traffic around the building. He reminded Reed that had been the reason for the rejection of the permit request more than a year ago.
"I can certainly let them know," Reed said, referring to store officials. "Would you give me specifics?"
Townsend said: "Jerry Collins owns the building. He's been talking about redoing the parking lot for five years now."
"Look around town at other parking lots," Hensley said. "If I were you, I'd take the pavement on out to the right of way ... pave and extend the parking lot. The new driveway is quite impressive ... the flow of traffic on the east side of the building could be improved."
"It doesn't lend itself to a safe condition," Hensley said.
The conditional use permit was approved. Planners Al Fowler abstained and Hensley voted against the request.
"I do agree one hundred percent the parking lot is the worst in town ... with the amount of traffic that comes in and out, it is inexcusable," Dr. Karen Sherman, planner, said.
General News on 11/09/2016