West Deer approves 2nd Dollar General, delays vote on Rose Ridge development

Supervisors approved a location for a second Dollar General store in West Deer but tabled a request for a planned 247-unit residential development at a former golf course.

Supervisors felt that with at least two new members coming onto the board in January, the decision would be best left to the new board. James Smullin won election as a write-in last month, and Brandon Forbes resigned his seat. Tentative plans are to appoint a replacement Jan. 3.

Traditions of America, a developer based in Berwyn, Pa., submitted plans for a one-story residential area along Route 910 (Gibsonia Road) at the site of the former Rose Ridge Golf Course. The 176-acre site had “significant back taxes due,” according to testimony, and the golf course owner had become ill. A bankruptcy judge approved the sale on Tuesday.

The area was rezoned to R-2, semi-suburban, in 2019.

Plans call for customized, one-story homes for residents age 55 and older. There will be five duplexes and 237 detached dwellings.

The site would feature three cul-de-sacs; a clubhouse with a swimming pool; a walking trail; and other amenities, such as new trees planted as a buffer zone to the edge of the property closest to Cedar Ridge Road.

Deer Creek would be untouched by the new development.

The garages are to be designed to fit two vehicles, with 20-foot-long driveways to accommodate two more vehicles, thus avoiding on-street parking.

Resident Gary Torick, a former Deer Lakes School Board member, spoke in favor of the development, citing his familiarity with a similar development in neighboring Richland Township.

There was no opposing testimony.

Dollar General

Supervisors, by a 4-0 vote, approved a Dollar General location along Starr Road, site of the former Italian Club.

The area is zoned C-2, highway commercial. Though all parking and setback requirements have been met by HRG Development, the proposal still needed approval by the supervisors.

The store will be slightly larger than the Dollar General along Gibsonia Road. Developers said the new store will be large enough for cooler and refrigeration space for fresh food.

The store’s façade will feature a darker brick and an upper part of the building made of metal, a departure from the usual architecture related to the store chain based in Goodlettsville, Tenn.

Screening and a buffer area will be provided by HRG. A steep slope on the site will be reduced, according to testimony. Lighting will be focused downward toward the ground.

Hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The property was sold to Dollar General by Michael and Teresa Coletta, who will retain ownership of the adjacent property.

There was no opposing testimony offered.