Planning Commission To Vote On Don Pedro Dollar General

Don Pedro, CA — A plan seen as contentious by some, to build a Dollar General Store in the Lake Don Pedro community, will go before the Tuolumne County Planning Commission next week.

Anticipating a large crowd, the meeting will take place Wednesday, November 16,  at 6pm, in the Don Pedro High School gymnasium at 3090 Merced Fals Road in La Grange. Foothill Land Development, LLC is hoping to construct the 9,100 sq. ft. commercial building at the intersection of Las Palmas Way and Highway 132.

Nearly a year ago, the Tuolumne County Planning Commission, and later the Board of Supervisors, denied approval of a Dollar General Store in Columbia after hearing an uproar from the local community. Opponents argued that the national chain store did not fit with the town’s historic character and would negatively impact existing businesses. Tuolumne County has existing Dollar General Store’s in Soulsbyville and Jamestown.

The county notes that four petitions, with a combined 700 signatures, have been submitted in opposition of the Don Pedro Dollar General Store. County documents indicate that the long operating Don Pedro Market is among the main opposition to the store. The owner stated in a written response that the small community, of around 3,000, would be unable to support two “general grocery stores.”

Whatever decision is made by the Planning Commission…it could eventually be appealed to the Board of Supervisors. The November 16 meeting is open to the public.