We, the undersigned residents of Carthage, NC and nearby surrounding residents, are deeply concerned about the request for industrial and commercial rezoning of a small neighborhood area. The request to rezone has been made to accommodate a Dollar General and a warehouse/factory at the corner of US Hwy 15/501S and Lamms Grove Road.

Many of us in the Cameron, Carthage, "Governor Creek", and surrounding areas of Moore County invested significantly in our homes, drawn by the quintessential beauty of farm life complemented by a safe, peaceful, and healthy environment. We paid a premium for views of the surrounding farms and open land, a key factor in our decision to live here. Residents have moved to Moore county after seeking raw farm land with the intention of maintaining these properties for farming use, not development. 

The proposed development, with its associated parking lot and commercial building, will bring in crime, negatively impact farming with light and noise pollution, and tarnish the views of our neighborhood. These negative changes for Moore county will extend beyond the immediate area, significantly diminishing the value and desirability homes nearby. 

In addition to the loss of our home investment value, this development will negatively impact the quality of life in our community. We anticipate increased traffic at an intersection that already requires close attention and patience for safety. Additionally, we would have to be on high alert at all times for increased traffic and strangers on our small 0.3 mile dead end road. Many of us, including our children, ride bikes, walk, or run up and down this small road. Furthermore, because it is a dead end road, we will find people going the wrong way, lingering, and without purpose on our street. 

We have reason to believe that this request is intended to plant a Dollar General store which exacerbates our situation.  Dollar General stores can lead to a significant loss of value in nearby residential property, decreasing them by 16-21%.  In the current environment of high interest rates, this depreciation could leave people in our community upside down on their mortgages.   

Additionally, multiple studies have found that chain dollar stores are more likely than any other store type to attract crime and are significantly correlated with public order crimes, property crimes such as vandalism, and violent crimes. 

We do not want this in our community.

Our community would not benefit in any way from a Dollar General or other dollar store. We have two local farm stores and a local gas station within seconds to minutes from this proposed location.  We are expressing our opposition in hopes that the listed acres remain as zoned, Rural Agricultural (RA), and not made available for commercial or industrial development.

We urge you to join us in opposing this project which will negatively impact our community and home values. Please sign this petition and share it with other concerned residents.

NOTICE OF UPCOMING PLANNING BOARD MEETING AT THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE IN CARTHAGE, SECOND FLOOR.

**THERE IS AN ELEVATOR

SUBJECT: Planning Board Meeting for proposed Highway Commercial Conditional Zoning (B2-CZ) Rezoning request of PID# 00006994, referenced as “Parcel A.” The 3.39 +/- acre tract will be subdivided from the parent tract upon successful rezoning.  

SUBJECT: Planning Board Meeting for proposed Industrial Conditional Zoning (I-CZ) Rezoning request of PID# 00006994, referenced as “Parcel B.” The 13.58 +/- acre tract will become its own parcel post successful rezoning and subdivision.

DATE AND TIME OF MEETING: 6th FEBRUARY 2025, 6pm EST
LOCATION: 1 Courthouse Square, CARTHAGE, NC 28327

APPLICANT: RHETSON COMPANIES, INC. (Matt Williams – Project Manager)
APPLICANT CONTACT NUMBER: 910-944-0881 (Matt Williams on behalf of Rhetson team)
APPLICANT EMAIL: matt@rhetson.com (Matt Williams on behalf of Rhetson team)

Links for review:

Dollar Store Expansion Pushes Out Independent Grocery Stores, Decreases Local Employment Opportunities​

Dollar stores are the fastest-growing food retailer in the United States by both sheer number of stores and consumer food expenditure share.​

17 Problems: How Dollar Store Chains Hurt Communities​

As dollar stores spread across the nation, crime and safety concerns follow​

Dollar General Overcharges ‘Hundreds of Thousands’ of Customers, Lawsuit Alleges The prices paid at the register do not match the price tags, according to a class action lawsuit working through the courts.​

Dollar Stores Are Taking Over the Grocery Business, and It’s Bad News for Public Health and Local Economies A new report shows growth of dollar stores in low-income and rural communities furthers inequity and pushes out local businesses.