Upper Burrell Planning Commission grants conditional approval for Dollar General

The Upper Burrell Planning Commission has granted conditional approval for the development of a Dollar General store at Route 780 and Dewey Drive.

Township supervisors will have to grant final approval for the project to proceed. But first, the store’s developer will have to address several issues raised by township engineers.

The development has been unwanted by residents along Dewey Drive, who have said they think the store would threaten the rural character of their neighborhood.

Although the store site borders a residential area, it is zoned commercial. Since the developer requested no variances or zoning changes, supervisors and the township solicitor have said there was little they could do to stop the development.

More than 100 Dewey Street residents and others signed a petition to stop the development last year.

The developer made some concessions to address residents’ concerns.

In addition to erecting a fence to block the view of the back of the store to Dewey Street residents, the developer plans to plant trees as well, said George Richard, recording secretary of the township planning commission.

To address concerns about lighting, the light fixtures will shine straight down to lessen the brightness, he said.

The developer still has to meet conditions raised by township engineers, including coordinating drainage from the site with PennDOT to connect to a drainage inlet along Route 780.

Dollar General did not respond to a request for comment.

Previously, a Dollar General spokesperson said the company will make a final decision about store construction this summer.