WILLIAMSTON — There is growing opposition to proposals to put a pair of chain dollar stores inside the city limits of one of Ingham County’s small bedroom communities.
The Williamston Planning Commission has approved plans for a Dollar Tree store on Grand River Avenue, but delayed a vote on a proposed Dollar General location on Williamston Road, City Manager John Hanifan said. The stores would be about a 1 1/2 miles apart.
More than 435 people have signed an online petition opposing a Dollar General store in city.
Jay Trottier, 64, said he doesn’t want the discount stores because there are others nearby.
While selling a used sewing machine to a Haslett couple in the parking lot of Tractor Supply Co., right next to the Dollar General site, Trottier pointed across North Williamston Road to a property where a housing development was started but never completed.
He pointed back to the potential Dollar General site, across the parking lot.
“I’d rather they did nothing with it,” said Trottier, who has lived in the area for 20 years. “Leave it alone, that’s my opinion. I’m sure a lot of people feel the same way I do.”