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Panel OKs grocery-store plan for Fosterville site
YOUNGSTOWN
Over the objections of three Fosterville neighborhood residents, the city’s planning commission voted to recommend a zone change for a 17,000-square-foot grocery store in that area.
That area has been without a full-service grocery store for several years.
The store would be bounded by West Princeton, Glenwood and West Indianola avenues.
Three residents of West Princeton voiced their opposition to the project Tuesday to the commission, saying they’re concerned about increased vehicular traffic on their street.
“I’m terribly opposed to this,” said James White, one of the three West Princeton residents. “We already have too much traffic on the street.”
Also, White contended the supermarket would provide another place for drug dealers.
The property is the location of the former Cleveland School and adjacent Fosterville Park on the city’s South Side.
Planning commission members support the zone change, saying the store would benefit the community.
“It’s such a big issue with no access [from other stores in that area] to fresh food,” said Heather McMahon, a commission member.
City council is expected today to authorize the board of control to buy the 5.5-acre parcel from the school board for the grocery store for a price not to exceed $15,000.
The planning commission recommended Tuesday that the land for the grocery store be changed from institutional zoning to general business.
For the change to take effect, council must conduct a public hearing on the proposal and then approve the new zoning designation.
The city administration is working with Primax Properties, a Charlotte, N.C., real-estate investment firm.
The administration has a confidentiality agreement with Primax about the name of the proposed grocery store, and Primax hasn’t returned calls by The Vindicator to comment.
The company’s website as well as the website of its sister company, Primax Construction Inc., list Food Lion as one of their major retail clients. Food Lion has no grocery stores in Ohio but has more than 1,200 in 11 other states.
Several full-service grocery stores have closed in the area and nearby. There are convenience stores and other businesses that sell groceries but aren’t full-service supermarkets.